fool proof food: steak and cheese

This is another new section I am giving a try on the old blog. On occasion, I like to cook. Typically I enjoy things that are simple and not super unhealthy. Very occasionally I'll feel really inspired and knock out a really stellar, complex dish. By "very occasionally" I mean that happened once. But it was amazing. I thought I would share some of those recipes here in case anyone wants to add some simple, yummy meals into their usual repertoire.

Today we have Steak and Cheese. Some of you may way to call it Cheesesteak. You would all be wrong. But feel free to debate that amongst yourselves, since I am firmly in the Steak and Cheese Club.

Ingredients:
Butter
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Garlic powder
Shaved steak
Mushrooms
One medium onion
American cheese (or really, any old cheese you want)

Step 1: Chop up your onion. I like mine in little strips. Feel free to chop yours however you want. Or even omit it all together! I wouldn't do that though, because the onion makes it extra delicious.

Step 2: Add some olive oil to a large fry pan. About 1-2 tablespoons should do it. Toss a pat of butter in there too. Because olive oil and butter taste delicious together. Turn the heat on to medium.

Step 3: Wait until the pan gets nice and hot and your oil and butter starts to bubble slightly. Toss in those onions.

Step 4: Cook the onions over medium to medium low heat until they get nice and brown. This may take awhile and requires constant vigilance. I am easily distracted and often burn onions, but you really have to cook them slowly and carefully. Remove them from the pan and set aside. I used a slotted spatula so some of the oil would drip off.

Step 5: Put another small pat of butter into your pan.

Step 6: Dump in your nice clean mushrooms. Don't forget to make sure they're nice and dry like I did. That's why mine look so soupy. But they did get nice and tender, which is what we are aiming for.

Step 7: So cook those 'shrooms until they are nicely browned and tender. Remove from pan, using the slotted spatula again and put them in with the onions.

Step 8: Add a little bit more butter to the pan (okay, so this isn't one of my super healthy recipes. Still better than the sub shop!). Toss in your shaved beef and begin to pull it apart using two forks.

Step 9: Cook through, over medium heat. Season it up with salt and pepper and a little garlic powder. Drain off a bit of the grease.

Step 10: Add your cheese. We only had the processed Kraft stuff, but deli American cheese makes this so much better. Let it melt and mix it all up in there. Add more if you're feeling sassy. Or like cheese as much as I do.

Step 11: Mix in your onions and mushrooms. I know that last picture looks completely disgusting, but trust me people. I'm drooling thinking about this sandwich.

Step 12: Place the mix in a roll. Eat. Sigh with delight.

inspired by: april 11, 2011

This is my first post in a new regular feature I am going to try out on here. I have a folder on my computer where I keep all the screen shots of outfit inspiration that I save. When I don't know what to wear, I open this folder and click through it for ideas. Sometimes they are from lookbooks, sometimes they are from other bloggers, and sometimes they are from Weardrobe or Chictopia.

This particular outfit was from the Madewell website ages ago. I came across this last weekend when I was trying to think of something to wear to run some errands and hang out with a friend. I was actually wearing different shoes, but my errands brought me to Macy's where they were having a shoe sale and I saw these bad boys. They went perfectly with the outfit so I put them right on my feet. They are super comfortable for such a high platform. I think I'll be wearing them a lot this spring, so be prepared to see more of them!

 [Jacket - Forever 21/Scarf - Old Navy/Top - Forever 21/Jeans - Forever 21/Shoes - Unlisted]

I think this is a great way to use what you have in your closet to create looks you love without breaking the bank. Is my outfit an exact replica of the Madewell one? No. But I think it's pretty close and I felt super snazzy in it, which is really all that matters.

So what do you think? Is this feature a keeper? Do you guys do this too? I'd love to hear your feedback!

what i'm reading: april 7, 2011

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

Stieg Larsson

I waited and waited for this book to come out in paperback, since I have read the previous two books in the trilogy and have them in paperback and wanted the complete, matching set. But finally the guy at Barnes and Noble told me there were no plans on the horizon at all for this to be released in paperback, and I couldn't wait another second, so I bit the bullet.

I found this one to be a bit slower paced and drier than the first two, but it was still interesting and it ook me awhile to finish it, which is always nice for a speed reader like me. However I took this with me to jury duty when I went last month, and I wish I had brought something that was more of a page turner. So if you plan on reading for almost six hours straight, this may not be the book you want to go with.

I highly recommend the first two (obviously) and this book definitely rounds out the trilogy nicely.