Seared Steak With Cheesy Fondue

I apologize that I do not have a picture with this post.  But a pot of  yummy melted cheese fondue just doesn't photograph well enough to do it justice. You will just have to take my word for it..this is a nice leasurely tasty dinner.  You can use whatever you have in the fridge as dippers:  broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, cubed baked potatoes, toasted french bread, use your imagination!  Serve these with seared steak and you have a delicious dinner for 2 or 3 or more!

1 sirloin steak cut in this strips
8 oz. guyere cheese, grated
8 oz. gouda cheese, grated
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
2 T. cornstarch
1 c. white wine
1 garlic clove
dash of nutmeg

Heat a heavy fry pan, add 2T. olive oil.  Sear steak in small batches.  Place in a tent of aluminum foil to keep warm.  In a fondue pot, rub the inside with the garlic clove. Discard.  Pour in wine and bring to boil.  Mix cheeses with cornstarch.  Slowly add cheeses, whisking as it melts.  Serve with steak and dippers.

Better Than Chipotle Burrito Bowls

I have been looking for tasty recipes for Meatless Mondays.  This one was featured on the blog, "Damned Delicious."  I love Mexican and since I wanted to do this vegetarian I substituted quinoa for the rice to up the protein.  You could always use some cooked shrimp, chicken or beef and the rice if you prefer meat in your burrito bowl.  Anyway you fix it, this is a quick and delicious dinner.

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa or rice
• 1 cup salsa
•  3 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
• 1 (15.25-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (15-ounce) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Cook quinoa or rice.  Put rice or quinoa into serving bowls.  Top with remaining ingredients in order listed. Top with the cream sauce.

 chipotle cream sauce
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon chipotle paste*
• 1 clove garlic, pressed
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or more, to taste

Black eyed Pea Salad

This is a Southern recipe that is supposed to bring good luck if you eat it on New Years Day.  Black eyed peas are a good source of fiber,  so it is good for you too.  I tried "Texas Caviar" this summer at
Dinosaur Bar B Que in Syracuse, New York.  Texas Caviar is very like this salad.  I loved it.  So for 2015 at our house we are starting the New Year with this salad and some smoked pork chops.  I guess some collard greens on the side would be good too.  I cooked up a small bag of dried black eyed peas by boiling them in water for 90 minutes.  I froze the beans I didn't use for another time.

4 c. cooked black eyed peas
1 jalapeno pepper, diced
1 tomato, diced
1/4 red onion, chopped
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/3 c. chopped cilantro
Mix all these ingredients in a bowl.  Mix dressing, pour over and refrigerate for several hours before serving.

Dressing:
1/4 c. rice vinegar
2 T. canola oil
1 t. sugar