How to cook a steak indoors

Growing up, Pete cooked steaks every Friday night. We celebrated the work/school week being over by sitting all around the kitchen table, enormous ribeyes falling off the sides of our plates, baked potatoes on the side, and smiles on our faces. I of course, demanded that Pete cut my steak for me, dipped my medium-cooked steak in ketchup (the horror!) , and gave all my leftover fat back to Pete as payment for his hard work. These days, much has changed. Now that I pay for every meal I eat, steak isn't as common as it used to be. And when I do eat it, I want it still moo'ing. I would hurt someone if I saw them put a beautiful steak in ketchup, and I keep the fat to myself.

When I do treat myself to one at home, I want it done right. And without a grill, one might think this is impossible. Well, think again. Cooking inside would never be my first choice if I had a big yard with a charcoal grill, but if we are talking gas versus indoors, same thing in my book. Plus, with the weather getting cooler each day, you'll thank me.

First step is to buy a good steak. Cut corners on other things, but not on steak. For this week, I got a NY Strip.

Next step is prepping. You'll first want to get your steak to room temperature. You'll also want to preheat the oven to 400. And then take a cast iron skillet and put it on top of the stove on high heat. I used a griddle because it's all I had. Let it heat up at least 10 minutes or so.

Take your steak and drizzle a little olive oil on both sides. Then season however you would like. I just used salt and pepper, but everyone has their favorites. Now throw the puppy in your cast iron grill (or griddle) and sear each side for about 2 minutes. Then take the steak (while still in the skillet) and throw it in the oven, cooking about 5 minutes for rare, 7 minutes for medium rare. The final step is letting it rest at least 5 minutes...this is the hardest part I know, but please don't cheat. Those juices are going to taste so much better in your mouth than on your plate. Enjoy!

I always keep tofu at home. Frankly, I like it. And I don't always want meat in every meal. Plus, it keeps longer than meat, so I stock up on a few packages when I go shopping. I have learned that I really like tofu the most when I prepare it in thin slices instead of cubes. This recipe was found on Cooking Light. It was easy, and I had all of the ingredients here. I added some toasted sesame seeds at the end for fun.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
• 1 (3 1/2-ounce) bag boil-in-bag long-grain rice
• 2 1/4 cups chopped asparagus (about 1 pound)
• 1 tablespoon peanut oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon bottled minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon hot chili sauce with garlic (such as KA·ME)
• 1 pound extrafirm tofu, drained and cut lengthwise into 9 pieces
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup preshredded carrot (i didn't have so i skipped)
• 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil

• Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan. Add bag of rice, submerging bag completely in water. Boil 10 minutes. Carefully remove bag from pan, leaving boiling water in pan. Add asparagus to pan; cook 1 minute. Drain.
• While rice cooks, heat peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Combine sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, and chili sauce in a small bowl. Sprinkle tofu with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Add tofu to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Add soy sauce mixture; cook 20 seconds, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Combine rice, asparagus, 1/2 teaspoon salt, carrot, and sesame oil. Serve tofu over rice.

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Pesto-Topped Flounder Packets

I've started moving away from recipes and just making my own creations in the kitchen. Not only is it fun and a creative outlet, but it saves me a trip to the store because I usually end up just using what is in the cabinet or refrigerator. I wanted to share one of my favorite ways to cook fish, which is cooking with pesto in a foil packet. There really is no set recipe. I've made using whatever I have at home and each time it turns out perfectly. Light, healthy, delicious.

Basic Ingredients:
Fish - Tonight I used Tilapia, but I've used Catfish and Flounder in the past. Pesto - Store bought or homemade.
Lemon - Fresh squeezed
Salt & Pepper
Foil

Additions: shallots, onions, garlic, mushrooms, potatoes, spinach, zucchini, tomato, be creative!

Preheat oven to 400. Place each filet on a square of heavy foil and tuck under any thin edges to make thickness equal. Cover your fish in lemon, salt & pepper, garlic, onion and then top with pesto. Add any other ingredients at this time. Bring together the two opposite ends of the foil and seal with a double fold. Fold the sides together to completely close, but remember to leave room for steam. Place pouches in a baking pan and bake at 400 for about 15 minutes or until your fish flakes with a fork.