Roasted Pepper and Feta Dip is one of our favorite summer appetizers. I like to make this on hot days, for a cool and refreshing start to the meal. I start this dish by roasting red bell peppers. Next, I blend them in my food …
Cherry and Pomegranate Chicken Salad is one of our favorite summer salads. I start this salad by roasting tender boneless chicken breasts. While the chicken bakes, I toss together crisp spring greens, carrot ribbons, halved cherries, sliced avocado, and pomegranate seeds. I also make a …
Sesame Steak Lettuce Wraps are one of our favorite appetizers. Sometimes I serve it as a party appetizer, but I also like to make it for a family dinner. I start this dish by marinating tender skirt steak in a Korean- inspired sesame marinade. Next, I cook the steak and put them in lettuce cups along with pickled ginger vegetables and cooked mushrooms. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this whole dish in less than an hour. Secondly, I like that I can make some of the components ahead of time. I can marinate the steak, cook the mushrooms, and marinate the veggies hours ahead of time. Then, I just cook the steak right before serving. You could also cook the steak ahead of time and then just heat it up in the microwave. And, lastly, we all love the tender sesame steak and Korean-inspired flavors in this dish.
The Equipment I Used
A Cast Iron Skillet- I like to use this to cook my steak. But, you can use any skillet.
The Ingredients Needed for Sesame Steak Lettuce Wraps
Steak- Use skirt steak for this recipe.
Soy Sauce- I like to use low salt soy sauce for this recipe.
Sesame Oil- Try to find pure sesame oil.
Sesame Seeds- You can find these with the spices at your market.
Bell Peppers- Use a red, orange, or yellow peppers. Or, use a mixture of colors.
Vegetable Oil- You’ll need this to cook the steak. I like the Crisco brand.
How I Made my Lettuce Wraps
First, I marinated the steak.
Then, I cooked the steak. Take care to not overcook the steak. I like to cook the steak in small batches so that it sears on the outside. If you overcrowd the steak, it will steam instead.
Finally, I filled my lettuce leaves with the steak, mushrooms, and pickled vegetables.
If you like Korean flavors, you need to try these tasty Sesame Steak Lettuce Wraps.
Sesame Steak Lettuce Wraps
Sesame Steak Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce leaves filled with tender marinated steak and vegetables.
Begin by marinating the steak: In a bowl, mix together all the marinade ingredients. Add the steak and cover the bowl. Refrigerate while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Next, make the Pickled Vegetables: In a bowl mix together the sugar and vinegar, and then add the rest of the ingredients.
Next, make the mushrooms: In a large skillet, heat two tablespoons of oil on medium heat. Cook the mushrooms with the salt and pepper for ten minutes or until they're golden brown.
Next, cook the steak: In a cast iron skillet heat two tablespoons of the oil on high heat, and cook the steak in five batches until it's cooked to rare or medium rare. Add more oil, as needed.
Fill each lettuce leaf with some steak, some mushrooms and some pickled veggies. Garnish the cups with the cilantro, Fresnos, and sesame seeds. And, serve with lime wedges.
Raspberry Filled Ricotta Zeppole are one of our favorite sweet treats. I start this dish by making a quick zeppole dough. Then, I make a sweet raspberry filling for the zeppole. Next, I deep fry the zeppole until they are light and fluffy. Finally, I …
Shrimp Po’ Boys with Roasted Corn Relish is one of our favorite summer sandwiches. I start this dish by deep frying shrimp until they’re crispy. Then, I put them on hero rolls along with a creamy remoulade sauce. Finally, I top them with a Roasted …
Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream Cake is one of our favorite summer desserts. I start this cake by making chocolate cookie crumbs. Then, I soften my ice creams and layer them in the pan along with the cookie crumbs. Finally, I top the cake with rich chocolate ganache, whipped cream, and rainbow sprinkles. We like this cake for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this cake days in advance. I keep it fresh by storing it in the freezer. Secondly, I like how easy this cake is to make. It really just takes about twenty minutes of hands- on time to make. Thirdly, I like how flexible the recipe is. I can use different ice creams to make this cake totally different. And, finally, we all love the rich and creamy flavors in this cake.
The Equipment I Used
An 8- inch Springform Pan- Use this to form the cake.
Plastic Wrap- You’ll need this to line the pan.
A Food Processor- Use this to crush up the cookies. Or, put them in a plastic bag and crush the cookies with a rolling pin.
An Electric Mixer with a Whisk Attachment- You’ll need this to whip the cream.
A Piping Bag with a Star Tip- Use this to pipe on the whipped cream.
The Ingredients Needed for Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream Cake
Ice Cream-I used Edy’s brand ice cream. I prefer using an ice cream like this, that isn’t very high in fat. That way the cake isn’t too dense.
Cookies- I usually use Nabisco wafer cookies. But today I couldn’t find them so I used a handful of chocolate Teddy Graham cookies.
How I Made my Cake
First, I made the chocolate layer. It’s important to freeze this layer for at least one hour.
Next, I added the cookie crumbs and the vanilla layer. I froze this overnight.
Finally, I made the ganache and poured it over the cake. And I added the sprinkles and whipped cream.
If you like ice cream you need to try this scrumptious Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream Cake.
Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream Cake
Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream Cake
Topped with a chocolate ganache, whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles, and filled with chocolate ice cream and vanilla ice cream. Chocolate cookie crumbs separate the layers.
10Nabisco chocolate wafer cookies, crushed into crumbs
1.5quarts vanilla ice cream
½cupheavy cream
7ouncesbittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
For the Cake Toppings:
1cupheavy cream
2tsp.granulated sugar
½cuprainbow sprinkles
Instructions
Line an eight- inch springform pan with plastic wrap so that it extends all the way up the sides and beyond by a few inches.
Scoop the chocolate ice cream out into a big bowl and stir it until it's soft enough to be placed in the pan and flattened into an even layer. Sprinkle on the chocolate cookie crumbs. Cover the ice cream with plastic wrap and freeze it for one hour. Also, you may want to wrap the bottom of the pan in aluminum foil, in case of drips.
Scoop the vanilla ice cream into the bowl, and stir in the chopped chocolate bar. Smooth the ice cream in an even layer, right on top of the chocolate crumbs. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for six hours or overnight.
After the six hours, make the ganache: Heat the cream in a two quart saucepan, just until it begins to simmer. Pour it over the bittersweet chocolate, and stir until it's totally smooth. Let it cool to room temperature.
Remove the sides from the cake and the plastic wrap and invert it on to a serving plate. Spread the cooled ganache all over the top, letting some of it drip down the sides. Refreeze for a couple more hours. Add the sprinkles around the perimeter of the cake.
In an electric mixer, beat the cream and sugar together, until it's whipped together. Put it in a pastry bag with a star tip attached and pipe swirls around the top of the cake. Add more sprinkles and serve with extra whipped cream and sprinkles.
Farmstand Quesadillas with Roasted Corn Salsa are one of our favorite summer dinners. I start this dish by making my homemade Roasted Corn Salsa. Next, I cook up colorful bell peppers, fresh from the farmstand. Finally, I fill the quesadillas with the peppers, bacon, and …
Crispy Fish Tacos with Cilantro Aioli are one of our favorite summer dinners. I start this dish by making a creamy cilantro aioli and a fresh tomato salsa. Then, I dip my Mahi Mahi in seasoned flour, eggs, and crispy panko crumbs. Finally, I fry …
Steak Tacos with Gochujang Mayonnaise are one of our favorite summer dinners. I start this dinner by cooking some tender skirt steak. Then, I make an easy gochujang mayonnaise and a quick pickled slaw. I fill the tortillas with all of these and add avocado, queso fresco and cilantro. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that most of this meal can be made ahead of time. I like to make the gochujang mayonnaise and the pickled slaw early in the day. Then, right before dinner, I can quickly cook the steak. Secondly, I like that each family member can add the taco toppings that they like. So, my picky eaters can make tacos with just meat and cheese. And, lastly, we all love the fresh and spicy flavors in this dish.
The Equipment I Used
A Cast Iron Skillet- I like to sear my steak in a cast iron skillet. But, you could also use a grill pan.
An Instant Read Thermometer- Use this to test the temperature of your steak.
The Ingredients Needed for Steak Tacos with Gochujang Mayonnaise
Steak- I always use skirt steak for this dish.
Queso Fresco- Store any leftover cheese in the freezer for the next time you need it.
Gochujang- This is a Korean condiment. You can find it in the Asian section of your market. I like the Annie Chun brand.
Tortillas- I used flour tortillas, but you could also use corn tortillas.
Mayonnaise- I always use Hellman’s. You’ll need this to make the gochujang mayonnaise.
How I Made the Tacos
First, I cooked my steak. We like our steak quite well done. So, after I brown it on both sides, I sometimes put it in a 350 degree oven until it’s well cooked.
While the steak cooks, I make the slaw and gochujang mayonnaise.
Finally, I let everyone assemble their own tacos.
Steak Tacos with Gochujang Mayonnaise
Steak Tacos with Gochujang Mayonnaise
Tender skirt steak, piled into a flour tortilla with a fresh pickled slaw and gochujang mayonnaise.
Begin by making the steak: Sprinkle the steak on both sides with the seasoned salt and brush it with the oil. Heat a cast iron skillet on high heat and cook the steak on both sides until it reaches 145 degrees when tested with an instant read thermometer. When it's done, slice it thinly.
While the steak cooks, make the Pickled Slaw and the Gochujang Mayonnaise.
Toast the tortillas in a cast iron pan until they're browned. Fill each taco with some steak, avocado, queso fresco, serrano pepper, cilantro and top with gochujang mayonnaise and pickled slaw.
For the Gochujang Mayonnaise:
Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl, and cover and refrigerate until serving time.
For the Pickled Slaw:
In a large bowl, mix together the vinegar, sugar, and salt.
Add the vegetables and stir well. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.
Buffalo Chicken Salad with Herby Ranch Dressing is one of our favorite summer dinners. I start this salad by baking some boneless chicken breast. Then I slice it and brush it with my homemade Buffalo sauce. I serve this chicken on top of mixed salad …