Pierogies

One day while shopping, we discovered a box of something called Pierogies. They looked interesting. It said they were stuffed with cheese and potatoes.....2 positives already! Into the cart they went. Well after a few weeks, they hit their time on the menu and it was some good eats.

Tyler cut up some red potatoes, shallots and green pepper and fried all of the above with the pierogies, almost like a stir-fry. Lightly seasoned, it was really good! We weren't sure what to expect. I think we might just have to have them again!

Chinese Pepper Steak

I am always one who loves a good night with the Chinese takeout. Tyler is not. Little did I know that if I recreated one of these fabulous dishes, he would be completely down with it :)

I have found a new love: Allrecipes.com. I only changed it a bit by not including the mushrooms, adding a couple tablespoons of soy sauce to the sauce, and using the marinated steak (in soy sauce) from the kabobs. Here is the great Pepper Steak recipe I used tonight:

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups julienned green bell pepper
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
• 3/4 pound boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into thin strips
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1/4 cup cold water
• Hot cooked rice

Directions

1. In a wok or skillet, stir-fry green peppers and onion in 1 tablespoon oil for 2-3 minutes. Add mushrooms; stir-fry 1 minute longer. Remove and keep warm.
2. Season the beef with salt and pepper. In the same skillet, stir-fry the beef and garlic in remaining oil for 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink; drain.
3. Combine the cornstarch, apple juice and water until smooth; stir into the beef mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minutes or until thickened. Return the vegetables to the pan; heat through. Serve over the rice.

Kabobs

Tonight was a great night for food. It was kabob night! Steak...check. Onion...check. Green Pepper...check. All on a stick?! Check! Throw on some soy sauce and a nice hot grill and you have good eats. Very easy! We also did some zuccini with sweet baby peppers in the grill bowl, topped with EVO, kosher salt and pepper. Yay!!

Strawberry Chicken Spinach Salad

Ingredients

• 2 bunches spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
• 4 cups sliced strawberries
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Directions

1. In a large bowl, toss together the spinach and strawberries.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, sugar, paprika, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds. Pour over the spinach and strawberries, and toss to coat.

*I also added oven roasted chicken, red onion and a fresh pear to the salad for a little kick.

Pork Burgers on the Grill

We are in the Midwest and when it comes to different types of Burgers, pork ones are hard to beat. When we first moved to the area, we found some fantastic pork burgers in the local store. They were great, grilled nicely and took to BBQ sauce like a champ. Then the store got rid of them. Tears were shed. Others were tried and nothing was as good as the old. Well today was finally the day of a suitable replacement and we only had to look to our local butcher for the cure. Tonight we had Pork Burgers, Salad, and Crash Hot Potatoes. I will have to talk about those another day. Good stuff!

Grilled Salmon

After a stop at our local Schnuck's, a nice marinated Salmon was just begging to be grilled up and served with a veggie-pasta side. Can't get much simpler than this. All you have to do is slap it on the grill and make up the pasta. Nice and easy!

California Pizza Kitchen - BBQ Chicken

Tonight is another work night on the China Cabinet. We are so close to being done. With a disasterous try at Trader Joe's, Salmon has been put off and we will be having a good 'ol fashioned frozen pizza in its place.