Balsamic Marinated Steak and Kale Salad

I've been on a bit of a kale kick lately, but as you may or may not know, it is quite bitter and not too tasty.  Therefore, you have to add lots of flavor with it!  My husband loved the steak, but wasn't a huge fan of the salad.  This is a HEALTHY alternative to salad (as if salads aren't already healthy)!  The kale is so much better for you than your typical romaine, iceberg, or even mixed greens salad.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 Lb top sirloin filets, or flank steak
1/4 Cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 Cup olive oil
1 Tbsp honey
2 Garlic cloves
1/2 Tsp thyme
Salt
Pepper
4 Cups packed kale (or about half of a large bag)
1 Tomato, chopped
2 Tbsp chopped red onion
2 Tbsp crumbled gorgonzola cheese
Creamy blue cheese salad dressing

Method:

Whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, pepper, garlic and thyme in a bowl.  Place steaks in a freezer bag and pour in marinade.  Let marinate for as long as possible (preferably overnight).

Cook steak on grill over high heat, or on stove.  Sear at high heat and then set aside.  Slice steak into strips.

Toss together kale, tomatoes, onions, bleu cheese and dressing and top with steak.

Simple Switch:

Try sauteing green beans or haricots verts in coconut oil and slivered almonds.  Coconut oil has great health benefits, and gives the beans a sweet, nutty taste.  Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.  Yum!

Sausage and Peppers

Or as I like to say, "Sorsage" in a New York accent.  Cracks me up every time.  These were delicious and easy!  I of course at them on their own, Adam ate his over some rigatoni pasta.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

4 large hot (spicy) pork sausages
2 large green bell peppers, sliced thin
2 large yellow onions, sliced thin
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 28oz can tomato sauce
1 8oz can tomato paste
1/4 Cup marsala cooking wine
1/4 Cup mascarpone cheese
1 Tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 Cup shaved parmesan cheese
1 Tsp oregano
salt
pepper

Method:

In a dutch oven, heat olive oil on medium-high heat.  Add sausages and cook, turning every so often.  Cook about 15 minutes, until browned on all sides.  Set aside.

In pan, add peppers and onions.  Reduce heat to medium and cook until tender, stirring and scraping up bottom of pan.  (About 10 minutes)

Add garlic, stir and reduce heat to low.  Add sauce, paste, wine, cheese and seasonings.  Place sausages back in pan and simmer on low for 1 hour.

Serve on its own, or over pasta.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and enjoy.

Homemade Coffee Creamer

My mother-in-law and I were pouring a cup of coffee this past weekend when she asked if I've ever read the ingredients in the Coffee Mate creamer.  I of course didn't, and one of the first ingredients was Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, which is supposed to be pretty bad for you. Learn more here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans_fat

The very next day, my MIL found a bunch of EASY recipes (on another's blog) for homemade coffee creamer using just two main ingredients - condensed sweetened milk, and any other form of milk.  I replaced my old creamer container (went through the dishwasher) and will only make my own from here on out!  Here is the recipe I used, but there are plenty more at:

http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2013/03/homemade-coffee-creamer-over-20-flavor-varieties/

Ingredients:

1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 3/4 Cup skim milk
2 Tsp vanilla extract

Yay!  PS - use the expiration date of your milk for the expiration date of your creamer.