My culinary creations from the weekend.

This last weekend we got to spend some time with a few of our favorite people...

{ Grandma & Grandpa }

for a very special reason...

to help Grandpa celebrate his birthday { a few days early }

And that meant I got to make a yummy birthday dinner for the special occasion!!

the main course...

Recipes...

The oh-so simple- creamy salad -packed full of delicious flavor

from the March 2012 issue of Food Network Magazine

{ this is now my FAVORITE salad dressing }

Blend 2/3 cup buttermilk, 3 tbsp mayonnaise,

1 tbsp each lemon juice, dijon mustard & chopped chives,

1 tsp lemon zest, 1 chopped garlic clove,

1/2 tsp salt, and pepper to taste.

Toss lettuce with some of the dressing and you are done!!

The flavorful & hearty, BAKED chicken-fried steak with cream gravy

from the April 2012 issue of Food Network Magazine

{ I changed a few parts of the recipe to lighten-up the steak }

Ingredients for the gravy:

2 tbsp unsalted butter

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups whole milk

Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper

Making the gravy:

Melt the butter with the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat.  Sprinkle in

the flour and cook, whisking, until smooth and a deep golden brown color, about 

2 minutes.  Gradually whisk in the milk and simmer, whisking to remove any lumps,

until the gravy thickens, about 4 to 6 minutes.  Add 2 to 3 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon

pepper. Cover and remove from the heat.

While the steaks are baking you'll need to reheat the gravy.  If the gravy is thicker than

you like then add some water to thin it, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Ingredients for the steak:

4 beef cube steaks (approx. 1.5 to 2 lbs)

Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper

1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 cup whole milk

2 large eggs

chopped scallions or chives, for topping (optional)

Making the steak:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Prep your cookie sheet by fully covering it in

aluminum foil ( makes for easy cleanup) and then spray with cooking spray.

If you get cubed steak it should already be tenderized, but if not then place the steaks

between 2 pieces of heavy-duty plastic wrap and pound to 1/4 inch thick with a 

mallet or heavy skillet.  Season steaks with salt and pepper.  Whisk the flour, 

baking powder and 1 tsp each of salt and pepper in a shallow bowl, set aside.  

In another shallow bowl, whisk the milk and eggs, also set aside.  In yet another

shallow bowl, mix the panko bread crumbs, 1tsp salt and pepper together.

You now have your 3 coatings for the steak.  One at a time, dredge each steak in

the flour mixture, then dip in the egg mixture, then the panko mixture, pressing firmly

to fully coat the meat.  Place the breaded steak on your prepared cookie sheet.

Repeat process for remaining steaks, now place cookie sheet in oven.  Bake for 

10 minutes, then flip the steaks and bake for another 10 minutes.  Before

removing from the oven, turn the broiler on for a couple of minutes to make the 

steaks a slight golden color.

and dessert...

The recipe for the delicious Strawberries and cream pie is courtesy of Just Putzing Around the Kitchen

{ you must try this, it was amazing }

And lastly...

The prince and his Grandma painting!

{ he's in heaven }

Have a wonderful Thursday...  TG tomorrow IF { smile }