Same Classic Black Suit With A New Tie & Shoes Steak & Potatoes Redefined......

Grilled Skirt Steak With Swedish Potatoes & Zucchini 

There's nothing as classic and classy as a black suit except maybe a black dress. It has the ability to match just about every thing that I can think of be it a color or occasion. It can even have a slimming effect where and when needed and my personal opinion is that every man should have at least 3 black suits just to switch things up. While the black suit is versatile it can also be predictable, boring and unimaginative, that is unless you switch it up with a fresh shirt, colorful tie and perhaps some new shoes that make the entire ensemble POP!

Subtle changes are often times better than a complete overhaul. They can be inventive, empowering and just the thing that pushes you right to the top. Trust me, while your co-workers might be organizing a pool on whether you're going to wear your Wednesday "outfit" again, a simple change in your accouterments may be just the touch to redirect that attention and push you back to the "I just might?" list of all of the ladies... Just a thought.


On the menu today : Steak & Potatoes Redefined............

Steak & Swedish Potato 

Zucchini & Swedish Potato

While the combination of "Steak & Potatoes" just seems to roll off the lips so comfortably and readily, it can be more of the "same old same old!" Let's face it we are all creatures of habit that like what we like and even more so when it comes to things that we are spending our hard earned money for. My suggestion isn't to change the whole thing , just maybe tweak it a bit. Do any of you remember "Everyday People" by Sly & The Family Stone? It is a great song but when Arrested Development came on the scene with their version did we not all get up and dance to it just the same. I'm not picking one over the other but I am saying that the change was welcomed and even made the original more relevant and appreciated.....

My take on this classic is to do just that, change it and bring a bit of sophistication to the dish both in taste and presentation by making the most subtle of changes. The Swedish Potato brings with it an eye appeal, texture and a break from the norm that sends the eye into a frenzy for what is to come. Since when is a potato the "star of the show" on the same plate as skirt steak? When that potato is Swedish is my simple yet direct answer. It has the texture of classic potatoes Lyonnaise, the butter adds a rich taste and the garlic and herbs put these in a main course category.

Swedish Potato W/ "Buttered Sour Cream"

For the Swedish Potatoes we will need the following:

• Russet Potatoes (1 P P)
• Garlic (2 Tbs sliced)
• Olive Oil (1 Tbs) 
• Fresh Oregano or Thyme (2 bunches)
• Butter (1/4 cup)
• Salt (T T)
• Italian Parsley (1/8 cup)

Wash off the potato and make cuts "almost" through the potato, the skinnier the cuts the crispier the potato will be. Add a slice of garlic into each slit and drizzle with olive oil and diced herbs and salt liberally. Cook in an oven preheated to 325 for 45 minutes or until tender. Add Butter to the top of the potato once tender and place under the broiler on HI until you get the color and texture (crispiness) you desire. Once done add fresh cut parsley and sour cream. 

Crispy Garlicky, Buttery Goodness 

Roasted Zucchini is something that needs very little other than olive oil and the proper amount of seasoning to accompany any dish. The only thing I changed in this was the presentation, all I did was cut it, season it, cook it and plate it as naturally as it is grown.

Roasted Zucchini 

For the Roasted Zucchini we need the following:

• Zucchini (1 P P)
• Olive Oil (1 Tsp)
• Salt & Pepper (T T)

Slice the zucchini into equal portions lengthwise as shown above. Add olive oil and salt to a sheet pan and place the zucchini on the pan lightly salting the top. Place in an oven preheated to 325 for 15 - 30 minutes or until done. Plate by arranging the zucchini just as it was cut as in the picture below. 

Herbed Skirt Steak 

Skirt steak should be familiar to you by now, if you are a regular to the blog. Again, no need to reinvent the wheel but the dish just needed a bit of tweaking. I chose to marinate it in rum, garlic and herbs to intensify the taste and then use a smaller portion on the plate, trust me this packed quite a punch that was full of flavor, besides the Swedish Potato is on display here and while the steak is incredible for this dish it can stand to be muted just a bit for the sake of this delicious potato.

For the Skirt Steak we need the following:

• Skirt Steak (1 - 2 pieces feeds 5-10 p p)
• Garlic (2 Tbs)
• Rum (1/4 Cup)
• Oregano (2 Tbs)
• Olive Oil (2 Tbs)

Like Butter Baby

Make the marinade by adding mincing the garlic and oregano and adding to the oil and rum. Marninate the steak for no longer than 15 minutes (the alcohol will start to "cook" the meat and the rare to mid rare look will not be achieved as pictured.) Grill the steak for 3-4 minutes on one side and 2-3 minutes on the other side. Be sure to allow the meat to rest on a cutting board for about 2-3 minutes before slicing it against the grain (natural lines of fiber) of the meat. Finally get as creative as you like with the plating & presentation.