Yarr! Pirate Treasure!

I made some instant Jell-O fudge pudding and sliced up some bananas to form "coins". It is the perfect dessert for kids, potassium and calcium with less sugar than most other desserts. I propped some sticking up, but for even more fun, you could make it in a big communal bowl, burying the banana slices inside, and let your kids dig them out like real pirate treasure.

Cajun Baked Fish

One Up Steak Potato Combo

I've never had the ability to cook steaks really well, since I don't actually use my grill often. However this time I actually did a pan sear steak which was delicious. As you know I'm on a tight budget and we purchased a slab of chuck roast for US$7 and used the smaller pieces hanging on by fat and gristle to cube into kebabs which we had the other night. Then the entire middle slab which was leftover became tonight's steak. I sliced it in half because it was so thick, then placed it in a marinade sauce (below) within a ZipLoc bag and pounded it out lightly with my rolling pin. It caused the meat to spread and tenderize at the same time, proving thus, you can have a piece of steak for really cheap and have it come out delicious.

Marinade:
Few drops of Hickory Liquid Smoke
1/2 tsp garlic powder (unsalted!)
1/2 tsp onion powder (unsalted!)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/3 cup water

Marinade overnight for full effect. Heat up some butter or reduced chicken fat at high heat, then drop steaks in. Sprinkle kosher salt and some ground black pepper for seasoning. Sear until meat is halfway cooked (when redness turns pink) then flip and sear the other side for about 5 minutes or until well done, to taste.

Why this is One Up Steaks? Because of this, instead of just letting it go at that, I added a mushroom side dish that doubles as a topping for the steak which is wonderful, sweet and herby complementing the smoky steak flavor, as well as, the buttery potato.

Goods:
1 cup of sliced fresh mushrooms
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 cup red wine (Merlot in this case, get a wine that you would drink with)
Kosher salt

Cook 2 tbsp butter in a pan until melted, add the cup of mushrooms and sautee until slightly soft. Combine with the rosemary and sprinkle with kosher salt for flavoring. Add the wine and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.

Simple, no? ^_^ And YUM!

Campbell's Chicken Casserole

3 pc chicken thighs
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 tsp each salt, pepper, dried oregano

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Mix salt, pepper and oregano with chicken pieces. Place the chicken in a deep dish for baking. Top with the cream of chicken soup, spread to smother chicken thighs. Cover entire dish with foil, and pierce some holes for "breathing". Bake at 375 F for 45 minutes or until done. Serve hot with rice, mashed potatoes, or any side. Rice is my preference only because I am Asian and the soup gravy goes lovely with it! Tada, yummy meal.

Green Bean Casserole

30 ounces green beans (cut into inchlong pieces and steamed or frozen)
1 can condensed Cream of Mushroom/Celery or Chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 can of French-fried Onions

Heat oven to 350 deg. Mix milk, soup and pepper in 2-quart casserole or baking dish that is 8 x 8 x 2 inches. Stir in cooked green bean pieces, sprinkle with onions *must be French-fried Onions, no substitutes* Bake uncovered in oven for 30 to 40 minutes.