Ginger Flank Steak with Sake-Glazed Vegetables

A soy-sake marinade is the base for a delicious reduction sauce. For convenience, begin this one day ahead and refrigerate the steak in its marinade overnight.

Rating: 5 stars
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup sake (Japanese white wine)
1/4 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
3 Tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger (asian markets sell this already minced and cheaper than grocery stores)
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 - 2 lb. flank steak

1 lb. asparagus, trimmed, cut into 1.5 inch lengths

3 Tablespoons peanut oil
2 red bell peppers, but into 1" wide strips
1.5 lbs. crimini mushrooms, halved, each half cut crosswise into 1/4" thick slices (I used Shitake mushrooms)
4 green onions, cut into 1" lengths
2 teaspoons cornstarch

DIRECTIONS:

Combine first 6 ingredients in 13x9x2 glass baking dish. Add meat. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to one day ahead. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before continuing.

Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold water to cool. Drain again.

Heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add red bell pepper strips and saute 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and saute until mushrooms are soft, about 5 minutes. Add green onions and asparagus and saute until vegetables are tender, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer vegetables to serving platter. Tent with foil to keep warm.

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil in same skillet over high heat. Remove steak from marinade; reserve marinade. Add steak to skillet and cook to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to cutting board. Tent with foil and let stand 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, place reserved marinade in small saucepan. Whisk in cornstarch. Whisk over high heat until sauce thickens and boilds, about 3 minutes. Remove sauce from heat. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.

Cut steak across grain on diagonal into 1/2 inch thick slices. Arrange steak slices atop vegetables on platter. Spoon some of sauce over meat and vegetables. Serve, passing remaining sauce separately.

Source: Epicurious.com

Smothered Chicken Breasts

I got this recipe from a friend of a friend, so I don't know where it originated. However, not being a big fan of chicken crockpot recipes - this one is amazing! Each time I make it I remind myself to make it more often. It's worthy of being a regular meal in my opinion. While it was cooking everyone in my family made separate comments saying, "wow, something smells good!"

Rating: 10 stars!!!
Difficulty: Easy
Preparation: 40 minutes, divided
Cooking time: 4 hours

INGREDIENTS:

3 - 4 LBS. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium)
1/4 cup dried chives
4 - 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (drained if using canned)
2/3 cup water

SAUCE:

4 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons olive oil
6 heaping Tablespoons whole wheat flour
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups milk - rice, soy or dairy (I used 1 percent)
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
2 heaping Tablespoons Better Than Bouillon - Chicken flavor

Line crockpot with Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners and add the first six ingredients. Cook on HIGH for 3 hours. In the meantime prepare sauce and pour it over chicken when the 3 hour timer goes off.

To make the sauce:

In a saucepan, melt butter mixed with oil. Add minced garlic and saute briefly. Whisk in flour and cook until smooth and browned. Add milk and cook over medium-high heat, whisking continuously until thick and bubbly. Add broth, salt and pepper if desired, and soy sauce. (Be sure to taste before adding salt - I didn't need to add any)Let cook until thickened, and pour over chicken in crockpot.

Cook chickena nd sauce on HIGH for 1 hour, then check the chicken for doneness. If not cooked through, continue to simmer on LOW until done. Taste sauce and correct seasonings before serving.

TIP: You can use a meat thermometer to be certain that boneless white meat chicken breasts are cooked to an internal temperature of 170 degrees.

The sauce is not super-thick, but rich and creamy. Serve sauce over mashed potatoes or rice and serve with lots of fresh whole grain bread to sop up the sauce! Enjoy!

Posted by Debi