Beef with Shiitake Mushroom Sauce

INGREDIENTS

2 (4 ounce) beef tenderloin steaks (1 inch thick)
1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon dry white wine
1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced and divided
1 1/2 cups water
1 (.5 ounce) package dried shiitake mushrooms (about 1/2 cup)
cooking spray
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
2/3 cup sliced green onions
2 cups hot cooked long-grain rice

DIRECTIONS

Trim fat from steaks. Combine hoisin sauce, wine, ginger, and 1 garlic clove in a shallow dish. Add the steaks; cover and marinate in refrigerator 2 hours, turning steaks occasionally.

Combine water and mushrooms in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 30 minutes. Remove mushrooms from pan with a slotted spoon, reserving liquid. Discard mushroom stems; cut caps into quarters, and set aside. Bring mushroom liquid to a boil; cook until reduced to 1/3 cup (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat. Remove steaks from marinade; add marinade to reduced mushroom liquid; set aside.

Prepare grill or broiler.

Place steaks on grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray; cook 6 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Set aside and keep warm.

Heat the sesame oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, green onions, and 1 garlic clove; saute 2 minutes. Add marinade mixture, and cook 2 minutes.

Cut the steaks diagonally across grain into thin slices. Arrange steak on each of 2 plates, and top with mushroom sauce. Serve with cooked rice.

Grilled Marinated Flank Steak

INGREDIENTS

2 (1 1/4 - 1 1/2 lb.) flank steaks
1/2 c. soy sauce (low sodium)
1/2 c. oriental sesame oil
3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
Fresh ground pepper
2 med. garlic cloves, crushed

DIRECTIONS

Place in non aluminum pan. Whisk soy, oil, vinegar and generous amount of pepper in medium bowl. Cover pan tightly and refrigerate 24 hours, turning steaks occasionally. Barbecue high heat 4 minutes per side (medium rare). Transfer to platter and let rest 5 minutes.

Fruit Rum Punch

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups rum
1/3 cup banana liqueur
1 dash grenadine syrup
1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 (6 ounce) can frozen pineapple juice concentrate
1 orange, sliced into rounds
1 lime, sliced into rounds
1 lemon, sliced into rounds 

DIRECTIONS

In a large punch bowl, prepare the orange and pineapple juice according to package directions. Stir in the rum, banana liqueur and Grenadine. Float slices of orange, lime and lemon on top.

Irish coffee

INGREDIENTS

1 Shot Irish Whiskey
1 Teaspoon raw sugar
1 heaping spoonful whipped cream
Strong, hot coffee

DIRECTIONS

Pre-warm a stemmed glass. Pour in the whiskey. Add sugar and coffee. Float the whipped cream on top.

Don't stir! Sip your drink through the whipped cream.

Banana Strawberry Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

1 cup skim milk -- cold
8 ounces strawberry yogurt
2 bananas
1 tablespoon lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

Use a blender or food processor for this recipe.
Put all ingredients in blender and turn to puree mode until of desired consistency. (Make only about 2 servings at one time so the blender will not be overfull.) If using a food processor, use the steel knife to process; 8-10 seconds will be sufficient.

Serve in a tall glass.