Stuffed Flank Steak

I made this for Christmas dinner and it was excellent. Served with mashed potatoes, gravy, tossed salad and vegteable. This served 5 people.


2 lb Flank Steak- pounded thin
Bread Stuffing

Pound the Flank Steak thin. Lightly brush  both sides with balsalmic vinegar and olive oil. Spread on bread stuffing. Roll up tightly holding together with toothpicks.

Put in 9" x 13" pan. Put a couple tablespoons of water in pan. Bake at 350 for about 1 hour 30 mins.

Grilled Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 pounds of cut up chicken, chicken tenderloins or strips
Pineapple chunks, peppers chunks, onions, mushrooms, zucchini
skewers

In a small saucepan over medium heat, mix pineapple juice, brown sugar and soy sauce. Remove from heat just before the mixture comes to a boil.

Place chicken in medium bowl. Cover with pineapple marinade and refrigerate for at least 30  minutes.

Preheat grill for medium heat. Thread chicken alternating with vegetables on skewers. You can use any vegetables you would like.

Lightly oil the grill. Grill skewers for 5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. They cook quickly so watch them closely.

Rice Pilaf with Pignoli nuts (Pine nuts)

2 cups white rice (preferably long grain)
2 teaspoons chicken fat or olive oil
1/2 c chopped onion-scallions or yellow onion
1/2 c chopped celery
up to 4  cups of stock..depends on type of rice you are using (I used chicken base in water)
2 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/2 -1 cups pine nuts


Heat large saute pan and brown pine nuts until toasted. Set aside in bowl

You will cook your rice according to the  directions on your rice box in chicken stock but first you need to brown your rice.

While the stock (in at least a 2 qt. sauce pan) is heating to cook the rice... heat the large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken fat or oil coating the bottom of the pan. Add the uncooked rice and brown it, stirring occasionally, for a couple of minutes. Add the onions and celery and cook a few minutes longer, until onions begin to soften.
 Add the seasoned salt ( if you are using seasoned broth you may want to add less seasoned salt).
Cook your rice according to directions in at least a 2 qt sauce pan. You want to use primarily stock (chicken or vegetable).
Put the slightly browned rice into the saucepan with stock. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat, cover and cook according to directions on your rice box. Usually between 15 and 25 minutes. After the set amount of cooking time, remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. At no point during the cooking of the rice should you remove lid.

Add pine nuts. Fluff and serve. You may also add peas, chopped parsely, toasted almonds or raisins to make the pilaf more interesting.

Hamburger Hot dog buns

This is an excellent recipe for buns if you are going to use them the same day. I stored some in a plastic bag after they were completely cooled. The next day when we used them for hamburger buns they fell apart.  This would make great pepperoni bread.

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 Tbsp. dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm milk
• 4 Tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup melted Crisco ( I used butter Flavor)
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 1/2 -4 cups flour
• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp water
• sesame seeds optional
• 1. Proof the yeast in 1 cup warm water with 1 tsp sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
• 2. In a large mixer bowl, with kneader hooks, put 3 1/2 c flour, 4 Tbsp sugar, melted Crisco, warm milk and salt.
• 3. Add the proofed yeast, mix to creat a soft semi sticky dough that holds around the blade, adding in more flour as needed ( don't add too much as it will create a heavy bun, dough should be semi sticky.
• 4.Knead dough on mixer for 7-8 minutes
• 5. Remove dough and let rest on counter, covered with clean dish towel for 10 mins.
• 6. Knead the dough gently with hands for 30 secs.
• 7.Place dough in large well greased/oiled bowl.
• 8. Cover and let rise in warm place for 60-90 minutes or until double in size. ( I let my dough raise in the oven.. preheat oven to 170-200 degrees and then turn off. ) Takes about 1 hour to raise.
• 9. Punch dough down.
• 10. Shape into large balls for hamburger buns or shape like hot dog buns onto a large greased cookie sheet. You should get about 12 large balls.
• 11. Cover with alight clean tea towel, and let rise in warm place for 30-40 minutes or until almost doubled.
• 12. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• 13. In small bowl mix 1 egg wihte and 1 tsp water and mix well
• 14. Carefully brush the tops and sides of buns with egg/water mixture.
• 15. If desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds
• 16. Bake 15-22 minutes, or until golden brown.