Pepper Steak

Ingredients:

•2 five to six ounces cuts of beef (sirloin, New York or ...your choice for your pepper steak recipe)
•2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or clarified butter
•2 tablespoons crushed black peppercorns (you can adjust for your taste preference)
•2 ounces sliced mushrooms
•2 ounces of brandy (makes this a "secret" restaurant recipe)
•4 ounces of au jus (or stong beef stock)
•2 ounces of whipping cream (heavy cream)
Instructions:

•Heat vegetable oil or clarified butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat
•Pound steak very lightly (unless you are using hamburger), then roll in fresh peppercorns
•Sear the beef in the hot skillet, turn over to sear other side and cook to desired doneness, turning down heat if necessary so it doesn't burn (see cooking table below and use your thermometer )
•Remove the meat to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm
•Add the mushrooms to the skillet and sauté 30 seconds •Deglaze

and flame with brandy, scraping
particles from the bottom of the pan (use a long lighter, stand back and do not do this with flamables over or near your skillet - it will flame up - see picture)
•Add au jus or beef stock and cook until half of the original volume (reduce down)
•Add heavy cream and reduce until thickened (until sauce coats a spoon)
•Plate your beef and pour sauce in a ribbon pattern, at an angle, across the beef (do not coat entire top of steaks with the sauce)

Meat Thermometer Cooking Temperatures
NOTE! The meat continues to cook for a few minutes after you remove it from the heat.


•RARE: 130-140 degrees
•MEDIUM-RARE: 140-150 degrees
•MEDIUM: 150-160 degrees
•WELL DONE: 160-170 degrees

Roasted Red Potato

Ingredients:

•5 pounds baby red potatoes
•1/4 cup butter
•2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried
•1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)
•1 teaspoon dried chives
•1/2 teaspoon dried dill
•Kosher salt and coarse black pepper


Instructions:

•Melt butter with herbs and lemon juice over very low heat
•Wash potatoes, cut into halves and dry before putting on sheet pan or low baking dish
•Pour butter over potatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper
•Toss to coat all potatoes
•Bake in 375 degree F oven turning occasionally for 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are just soft

Garlic Mashed Potato

Ingredients:

•3 pounds peeled potatoes cut into similar size pieces
•1/4 cup butter (2 ounces)
•1/4 cup whipping cream (or to your taste)
•Salt
•1/2 teaspoon white pepper
•1 teaspoon garlic powder
•1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic


Instructions:

•Cover potatoes and minced garlic with cold water, and bring to a boil
•Turn down heat to allow potatoes to simmer until soft
•Pour off water or save for another use
•Add butter, cream and seasonings and mash potatoes using hand masher or electric mixer (leave a few small lumps)
•If using electric mixer, do not beat too much or potatoes will become too pasty
•Correct seasoning

Barbecue Hamburger

Ingredients:

•3 ounces cooked, crumbled bacon
•1 1/2 cups of ketchup
•1/4 cup of molasses
•2 tablespoons cider vinegar
•2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
•2 tablespoons of your favorite whiskey ...or a "touch" more
•2 tablespoons brewed coffee
•1 teaspoon dry mustard (I use Coleman's)
•1 teaspoon Tabasco
Instructions:

•Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan
•Simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally

Meatloaf

Ingredients for Meatloaf Recipe

•2 pounds ground chuck (not ground beef)
•4 ounces onions, finely chopped
•3 ounces Worcestershire sauce
•3 ounces ketchup
•2 cups soft bread crumbs
•3 eggs, beaten
•1/2 teaspoon black pepper
•1 teaspoon salt
•2-4 slices bacon (medium to thick cut preferred)

Instructions for Restaurant Meatloaf Recipe:

•Combine and thoroughly mix all ingredients being careful to mix lightly (mixing too vigorously will cause the meatloaf to be tough)
•Form one or two meat loaves and place in one or two loaf pans
•Top each loaf with 2 slices of bacon
•Bake in 350 degree F oven for about one hour and 10 minutes
•Drain off fat
•Let sit several minutes before slicing or refrigerate and slice cold
(To reheat: place slices in covered skillet with a little chicken or beef stock over low heat until hot. Microwaving not recommended.)

You're now ready to serve it with some potatoes (mashed or otherwise) and vegetables

Any meatloaf remaining can be used in soup or spaghetti sauce or on sandwiches (also loved by my guests - see below).

An option for this beef recipe: Top with tomato sauce or Marinara sauce or brown gravy to serve.

Option #2: Divide your raw meat mixture into 6 ounce portions. Form each portion into a thick, oval patty and fry in a large skillet with a little oil to brown. Then drizzle with beef broth and finish in a 300 degree F oven on a sheet pan (about 30 minutes).

Presto! You've got Salisbury steak for dinner!