March 9-13, 2009

Monday: Steak Teriyaki (Really Yummy)
Cooks Country 2008 Feb/Mar insert card; 30 min meal)

Tuesday: Left overs

Wednesday: Tacos

Thursday: Penne with Sausage and Broccoli (Really yummy)

Friday & Saturday in Seattle

Steak Teriyaki
Cooks Country 2008 Feb/Mar insert card; 30 min meal
Serves 4
Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and serve with rice, if desired.

1/2 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 T. grated fresh ginger
1/8 t. red pepper flakes
2 T. Cider vinegar
2 t. cornstarch
3 strip steaks (8-10 oz .ea), about 1 in. thick
2 t. vegetable oil
2 scallions, sliced thin

1. Whisk soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, vinegar, and cornstarch in bowl.

2. Pat steaks dry with paper towels. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add steaks and cook until well browned, 3-5 min per side. Transfer to plate and tent with foil.

3. Wipe out skillet and add soy sauce mixture. Simmer over med. heat until sauce is thickened, about 2 min. Slice steak thinly against grain and transfer to platter. Pour sauce over steak and sprinkle with scallions. Serve.

Penne with Sausage and Broccoli
Serves 4-6
(One large head of broccoli should yield about 8 oz. of florets. Alternatively, bags of cut broccoli florets are available in the produce section of most supermarkets).

1 lb. hot or sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 onion, chopped fine
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin
8 oz. penne (about 2 1/2 cups)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 t. red pepper flakes
1 c. white wine
2 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. heavy cream
8 oz. broccoli florets, cut into 1 in pieces
1/2 c. grated parm cheese
1 T. finely chopped fresh basil
2t. balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper

1. Cook sausage in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up pieces with wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain sausage on paper towel-lined plate.

2. Cook onion and bell pepper in sausage fat until softened, about 8 minutes. Add penne and cook, stirring often, until pasta is lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and pepper flakes until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in wine, broth, and cream and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover an simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta begins to soften, about 8 min.

3. Arrange broccoli on top of pasta and continue to cook, covered, until broccoli is bright green and tender and pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes. Off heat, stir in Parmesan, Sausage, basil, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.