Spicy Beef and Onion Sandwiches

  I still remember my brother Eldon telling my Mom that she had made the best beef sandwich ever and that he would never forget it, fast forward a few years and with that image still in my mind I set out to make the BEST beef sandwich ever, so with cookbook in hand and determination in heart, I fried and cooked and plated until I heard the words I so longed to hear " Hey Sis, these are the best beef sandwiches ever" and with my beef sandwich cooking destiny fulfilled, I feel free to share the  recipe with you.

Spicy Beef and Onion Sandwiches

6 ounces beef top sirloin steak, cut 1 inch thick
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp mustard seeds
1/2 cup water
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tsp olive oil
3 kaiser rolls
3 tbsp spicy brown mustard

Start off by melting a tablespoon of butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat until the pan is hot. Add your beef and partly cover your pan and cook 4 minutes on each side or until completely cooked, then remove the beef from the pan. Add the onions, water, and mustard seeds to the pan and cook on medium high heat, or until all the water has evaporated. Add your mushrooms, vinegar, sugar, and olive oil. Cook five minutes or until the onions have browned.Cut your rolls in half and spread the mustard onto them. Slice your meat thinly and place onto the sandwiches and top with the onion mixture. Serve and enjoy!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1.  Did you make someone laugh yesterday? Was it intentional?

I did make someone laugh yesterday and even though I don't remember what I said ( Or did for that matter ) but I remember Diane and I laughing ourselves silly.

2. What's a simple question with a complicated answer?

Hmm, the one question I used to ask my parents often when I was about eight and never really got a proper answer.

How come God was just always there?

( Pardon my eight year old grammar )

3. Rhododendrons or azaleas...you have to choose. Are either currently blooming in your yard?

I definitely love Rhododendrons, and we have a lovely bush that is blooming beside the house.

4. May 21st is National Waitstaff Day. Have you ever worked as a waiter/waitress? How would you rate the experience? What was the best/worst part of the job?

No I haven't ever been a waitress but when I was younger I used to dream of being a waitress and being able to hold a tray that was filled with glasses of water without dropping it, and I used to practice with a tray and several plastic glasses. (I'm pretty sure I gave that tray a large crack by dropping it that day )

5. What fashion trend for women should be outlawed? How about one for men?

Even though I have a decided opinion on fashion, I don't think it is up to me to decide what other people should (or shouldn't) wear.

6. Name a writer who inspires you....now tell us why.

A writer who inspires me has to be my Mom, she has an incredible knack for writing and has inspired me many times before to pick up a pen, grab a notebook, and write up an amazing story just for fun.

7. What well known quote or saying sums up your plans for today or this week?

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 " Kill da bugs, kill da bugs!" my little brother Sean squealed and ran to me as fast as his little legs could carry him, flinging himself into my arms, and clinging tight.

"Da" bugs just happened to be dandelion seeds floating through the air on a windy afternoon.

I tried to explain that they aren't bugs and showed him how to pick them and blow the seeds. He was a little hesitant about the whole idea to begin with, but after a few days he now no longer confuses dandelion seeds with bugs, and actually enjoys finding them, and blowing on the seeds, and watching them drift away.
 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. When is your next big deadline? What's it for?

I actually happen to be deadline free, how lucky am I!

2. May is National Barbecue Month. Do you prefer cooking indoors or out? What's the best thing about a barbecue? What's the last thing you cooked on an outdoor grill?

Oh, I absolutely love cooking outdoors, and I love when your whole family gathers around your picnic table and tells jokes, and gets to enjoy the little things in life. I leave the grilling to my Dad. We haven't used our grill for a long time though.

3. What is one thing on your "never again" list?

Well you see, my love of baking and trying out new recipes occasionally leads to a disaster, and I guess one recipe I never want to make again are Andes Mint cookies, or in other words a pan full of cookies that taste like baked mint tooth paste.

4. What's something that annoys you about people your own age? Something you love about your generation?

Well something that annoys me about other people my own age is how they're always trying to "fit in" and never realize that all they have to do is be your self.

What I love most about my generation is that they still have their lives in front of them and you're just standing there watching the doors open.

5. Lilac, iris, hyacinth, pansy...your favorite purple flower?

I love Lilacs, and we have a gorgeous Lilac bush in our yard that is turning the sweetest shades of purple!

6. Whats a song that always calms you down?

My favorite music is instrumental. I love this one.


7. What's the last thing you donated?

Well this might not count but we are about to donate several box fulls of books and clothes tomorrow.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Our trees have finally burst into soothing shades of green and if I am quiet and listen very carefully, I think I can hear summer calling just around the corner.

Roast Beef and Pasta Salad

The one thing that I have always wanted to do before I died and happens to be on my bucket list is making every single recipe in a cook book.So last week I started the challenge of making all the recipes in my favorite cookbook and made the very first dish in the book, which, by the way I will be sharing with you today.

Roast Beef and Pasta Salad

9 ounces uncooked radiatore pasta
6 ounces lean roast beef
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) whole baby corn, drained and rinsed
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles
1 cup cherry tomato halves
2 TBSP minced fresh parsely
1 TBSP minced fresh oregano
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives (optional)

Prepare the pasta like the package tells you to, omitting the salt; drain and rinse your pasta with cold water; and then drain again.

Slice your roast beef into narrow strips and then combine your pasta with the beef and the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly and if you want to be fancy garnish each serving with a sprig of fresh oregano.

This makes six servings and is best if served fresh. Enjoy!

Now I thought this was a delicious addition to our dinner and the only thing I would change is swapping the beef for ham the next time I make it, but then again that is just me being me.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a parent, is this something you now say to your own children?

  My Mother is in fact "Phraseless" she is always saying something different everyday and never has time to say the same thing twice.


2. What is a scent you associate with your mother or your childhood home?

Freshly baked cinnamon rolls.

3. What's an activity you remember always doing with your mother (or someone who was a mother figure in your life)?

  It would easily be helping my Mother in the kitchen, like making meals or an exciting new dessert.

4. Flared jeans, maxi dresses, and jumpsuits are 70's fashion trends back this spring. Are you on board? Which trend would you be most inclined to try? For the men...flared corduroys, wide-collared shirts, and floral prints...what say you? 

  Hmm maybe I'd be willing to try maxi dresses.

5. May 6th is Teacher Appreciation Day and also Nurse Appreciation Day. Is there a nurse or teacher  you have especially appreciated along the way? Tell us why?

  My dear Mother is in fact a school teacher and I have many fond memories of her patiently spending hours out of her day to make sure my school work was good, my essays well written, and many more things that I didn't appreciate as much as I should have back then. 

6. If I came by your house, what would I find on your frig door?

  Now this would be very interesting, seeing as I have a little brother things can vary from scribbled pieces of paper, to a giant level that he thinks makes a pretty magnet.

7. Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana made her royal entrance on Saturday, May 2nd. On a scale of 1-10, how much attention did you give to all the news coverage? 1=Who's Charlotte? 10=sat glued to the telly, cuppa in hand.

  Well seeing that I have no idea that that happened, sadly I have to say one.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

  Hooray my trampoline that has been waiting patiently in the garage ever since Christmas is finally in use.

  A few days ago my Mom, Diane, and I all went to a play that lasted an hour and a half, when we got home it was already nine o'clock so we climbed into bed. The next Morning Diane, Sean, and I packed up our picnic basket and left on a marvelously sunny and noisy ( geese, bees, birds, waterfall)  picnic, then after taking care of all our leftovers  Diane, Sean and I once again went out to the field, but on our way I spotted something and breathlessly I pointed it out to Diane and everyone shrieking with joy went running straight towards our new trampoline that my dear Dad and older brother set up for us secretly while we were at the play, just so they could surprise us.

  Aren't Fathers and brothers dear blessings?