Cooking Tips and Recipes
Recipes and Cooking Tips and Techniques

Steak Diane

Serves 3

2 teaspoons Oil
1 1/2 pounds Beef tenderloin, cut into 6 medallions
2 Tablespoons Butter
1/4 cup Minced shallots
1/4 cup Beef broth
1/8 cup Brandy
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Dash Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons Chives, chopped

Heat the oil in a heavy skillet. Add the beef and cook to the desired temperature. Remove to a warm platter. Add the butter to the pan. Add the shallots and cook until just soft. Whisk in the broth, brandy, mustard, and Worcestershire. Bring to a boil. Allow to reduce slightly. Add the chives and serve warm over the beef.

Southern Barbecue Spice Rub

Here is a traditional spice mixture for seasoning barbecued chicken, beef, and pork. It is especially well suited for spare ribs.

Ingredients
1/4 cup paprika
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons cumin
2 tablespoons cracked black peppercorns
1 tablespoon salt

Directions
Mix together all of the ingredients and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Summer Salsa

Lime juice and jalapeno peppers add zing to this juicy apricot salsa. It’s great with grilled pork or chicken.

1-1/2 cups chopped fresh apricots or peeled peaches
3/4 cup chopped red or green sweet pepper
3/4 cup chopped, seeded cucumber
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1 to 2 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon snipped fresh cilantro or parsley

In a medium mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Cover; chill in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours, stirring once or twice. Serve with a slotted spoon. Makes about 2-1/2 cups salsa.

*Note: Because chili peppers, such as jalapenos, contain volatile oils that can burn your skin and eyes, avoid direct contact with them as much as possible. When working with chili peppers, put plastic bags over your hands or wear plastic or rubber gloves. If your bare hands do touch the chili peppers, wash your hands well with soap and warm water.

Nutrition facts per serving: 36 calories, 0 g total fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 1 mg sodium, 9 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein.

Irresistible Orange Cookies

3/4 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup orange juice
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
3-1/2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix all
ingredients together until dough is nice consistency.
Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake until
lightly browned. Cool and cover with icing (recipe
below).

Icing:
1 Tbls. butter (softened)
1/2 Tbls. orange rind (grated)
1 Tbls. orange juice
1 lb. box Powdered Sugar

Mix butter, orange juice and grated orange rind; add powdered
sugar a little at a time until frosting is smooth.