Archive for the ‘Entertaining’ Category

As the May long weekend is fast approaching, people often associate this weekend with the start of BBQ season.  So, I thought why not give you a few good tips to help you create the perfect steak for friends and family.

1. Heat up and oil your grill before you start cooking.  This will provide even temperature as well as prevent less sticking.
2. Before you start cooking, make sure you have everything you will need from start to finish beside you.  Nothing is worse than having charred food because you have run inside to grab something you forgot!
3. A squirt bottle will help keep flames at bay, make sure you have one beside the BBQ!
4. You can add extra flavour to your meat by adding items such as hardwood chips, herb stems or grapevine trimmings to your fire.  Be sure to soak them in water first to prevent them from catching fire, and to help provide the aromatic smoke that will flavor the meat.
5. Although a good quality steak can stand on it’s own, adding marinades definitely won’t hurt them.  If you are going to baste with the marinade, make sure that you set aside extra marinade before adding to the meat to avoid cross-contamination.  Be sure that if your basting mixture contains sugar, to not baste until the last bit of cooking.  This will prevent any excess charring.

To extinguish the usual dinner table argument of cooking the steak either too much or too little,  follow this simple guideline to get you that much closer to world peace. 

There is also the technique that chef’s depend on, because not all grills are created equal!  You will see them pressing on the steak a lot of the time to check where the steak is at.

• Rare will be very soft to the touch
• Medium will feel firm, but have some give in the center
• Well done will feel very firm

You can also equate this to pressing the fleshy part of your palm (right below the thumb) to compare firmness.  With your hand partially open, this would be considered rare.  With your fingers touching your palm, this would be considered medium.  With your hand clenched shut, this would be considered well done.

Please feel free to leave any tips you have that have gotten you closer to that great steak!

Happy Grilling!

This Artichoke Dip is a definite crowd pleaser!

• 1 can of artichokes, drained and chopped
• 1 package of cream cheese
• 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese

In a medium sized bowl, soften the cream cheese for 30 seconds in the microwave, then add the rest of the ingredients and mix together. Transfer mix to a small baking dish and bake in a 400 degree oven for approximately 15 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

** I usually double the recipe if I am taking this dish to a party as it tends to disappear quite quickly!

My husband and I went to the local Home Show in our town and as we were walking past the various booths that were set up I came across this company that has a great idea!

Basically, this company, Tomboy Tools is set up just like Tupperware or Partylite where you invite a consultant into your home and host a party by inviting all your friends and family (the women) over to learn, and of course purchase tools to use for everyday projects.  It’s another great way to get women interested in power tools!!

The best part is that if you love pink, you can get all different tools in a pink colour!  I am really considering having a party over the summer to check out what this is all about.  I will keep you posted!!

If you want to learn more about Tomboy Tools, you can visit their website here.