Super Simple and Super Delicious Stovetop Steak

The Story

STEAK.

On a friend's birthday, all you need is steak and whiskey. At least that rule holds true if this is the person you are cooking for:

Gerard DiPippo, Great American.

So, if you find yourself in a position of cooking for Gerard DiPippo, or Ron Swanson, or Jack Donaghy, or if you just really want a good steak and don't have a grill, this is the recipe for you.

Mac'in': Round 2- Falltastic Mac v. Oktoberfest Mac

The Story

Bacon and pretzel bun crumb topping, pre-baking. 

Obviously, I cannot have experimentation macaroni death round matches without my dear partner, Tammy. So, while on a weekend trip up to NYC, I clearly had to devote my entire Sunday to macaroni and cheese.

This time, it was the same Pumpkin Mac I made last week with some minor variations, redubbed "Falltastic Mac" by the Tammiest, versus our "Oktoberfest Mac" (Beer and Brat Mac with Bacon-Pretzel Bun Bread Crumbs). Do not be surprised- we may both dwell on the East Coast, but we spend three years in the Heartland while attending law school in the Midwest. And duh, beer cheese is delicious! 

I am still debating whether my obsession with macaroni and cheese has become troubling..... Read on for the results....

Mac'in': Round 1- Jungle Cat Short Rib Mac Redux v. Pumpkin Mac with Brussels Sprouts Bread Crumb Topping

The Story

Pumpkin beer braised short ribs. I think this is pretty. But again, I suck at food photography and love meat.

Last year, I feel like Julian and I were robbed of victory- even if it was our own fault. We didn't understand that a key component of competitive cooking is stacking the odds in your favor by inviting your friends.

Number of friends we invited last year: 3

Number of friends who came last year: 0

SIGH. So, I am still very proud of our "dark horse" third place finish, BUT THIS YEAR DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION. Tammy has already created a FB invite warning our friends of the cook-off 2 months in advance, but we would prefer to win based on our cooking skills and NOT our popularity....

Enter our experimentation death matches in which our test subjects.... errr, friends..... have to gorge themselves on whatever kinds of mac and cheese we make and provide us with constructive feedback. For round 1, I am re-making our relatively successfully Jungle Cat Short Rib Mac and also experimenting with a fall-inspired (if I am honest, mainly Tammy-inspired) macaroni and cheese with pumpkin beer braised short ribs, actual pumpkin in the bechamel, and a hella crazy Brussels sprouts-parmesan-bread crumb topping.

The process of making a pumpkin bechamel may have caused me to rethink my own culinary genius, but read on for the results....

And.... I am back

So, I got a new job, moved to a new city, and sadly neglected my first love: cooking.

However, I am back, and committed to cooking more, cooking better, and sharing my adventures with my friends and family. AND, despite our original fears, I am not allergic to dairy or gluten- nope, just weird other allergies (of course).

First up: Tammy (the Tammiest!) and I have thrown our hats in the ring for the Claque's 4th Annual "Mac Off." It's my second time, her first time, and we are committed to greatness.... or at least trying for greatness.

Expect a lot (A LOT) of crazy mac and cheese posts in the coming days.

XO,
Kristin

Tammy and the original Jungle Cats.