{gatherings} menu: marinated beef, asparagus salad & cocktails

(I posted this over at Amy and Ann in the Spring ... I am bringing it to dollop because this is what I am planning to serve at a gathering this weekend - so good it deserves another look)

We had a great spring break this year. Friends at a lake house, friends in for drinks and a light dinner, sleep-overs, a few projects (some accomplished some not!), a dinner out, sleep-over at grandmas and a little volleyball - just to keep us real. No home-work, no stress, pure fun and relaxation.

Mid-week we decided to have a small group over for some "spring time" cocktails and a light dinner, marinated beef with avocados and a raw asparagus salad - delish!

Mojitos, gin & tonic (with extra lime), and vodka tonic were served.

Hey - it's our spring break too!

You know my obsession with cheese and these muskat grapes were the sweetest things you will ever taste. They literally popped in your mouth! Who needs Gushers?

Kids were invited too! (although somehow I missed taking their pics.)

So good to see our old pals! (camp 7 rocks!)

Now Finally the recipes..... thanks for staying with me...

Marinated Beef & Avocado, by jane skelton

2 avocados, peeled and sliced

2lbs rare roast beef - really go for the rare the marinade will continue to "cook" the beef

1 sweet red onion - sliced paper thin

1/2 cup canola oil

1/4 cup olive oil (i added more olive oil and less canola)

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 tsp dijon mustard

2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

finely chopped parsley

(I added some red pepper flakes too!)

Layer the beef, avocado and red onion making a couple of layers. Mix your marinade and pour it over the beef. Marinate for 6 - 8 hours. Serve with a hard roll or baguette.

Shaved Raw Asparagus with Parmesan Dressing, April 2010 food and wine magazine

2 lbs large asparagus

1 cup coarsely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese - I shaved mine

3 tbls fresh lemon juice - I bet I used a little more

1-2 tbls warm water

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Use a vegetable peeler and shave the asparagus into long, thin strips. I ended up cutting the last shave. In a small bowl, mix the parmigiano, water, lemon juice and olive oil. I did not mix the parmigiano in I waited until I was ready to toss. Add to the asparagus and season with salt and pepper. This was a fun and fabulous salad. I loved the way it looked and tasted. Can't wait to serve it again!

It was a beautiful and yummy evening!

{the dish} beef and broccoli stir fry

Are we over hump day yet???? What is it about this week? I am a day ahead. I guess I want it to be the weekend already. Tonight everyone was going in different directions. So I wanted easy. Stir fry! At times I tend to make it difficult because I want a large variety of veggies which makes for a ton of chopping. This was easy and good. Just good 'ole beef and broccoli with rice and some peanuts. A total one dish meal. Now I am over the hump!

beef and broccoli stir fry by ann west

flank steak sliced thin (I had 1/2 of a rump roast, I used it but it was a little tough, flank would be better!)

sesame oil and canola oil

1/2 onion chopped

4 cloves garlic, pressed and chopped

asian chili garlic sauce - 1 tsp or to taste

1 head of broccoli cut into pieces

soy sauce

peanuts for garnish (cilantro would be nice here too!)

Stir fry the sliced beef in your oils until nearly done. Add your onion and garlic and broccoli and cook until broccoli is almost done. Add your soy sauce, hot sauce and peanuts and toss.

Serve with rice. easy and done!

{secret indulgence} - meatloaf sandwich

ok - it is one of many! My main list of secret indulgences might go something like this: a bath during the day, popcorn with real butter, going to a movie alone, sitting outside with a glass of wine, reading in bed until wee hours, fresh flowers. But I have an entire list of secret indulgences that have to do with food. This is one. First, I am going to start you with the recipe for the meatloaf - a classic, a basic a go to recipe for sure. Which is good ... don't get me wrong - I love a good loaf. But I really love a meatloaf sandwich the day after. So don't miss the addendum at the end of the post. Meatloaf sandwich - I can't believe I am telling you this - what next?

Meatloaf by ann west

2 lbs ground beef or buffalo

1/2 cup catsup

2 eggs

1/2 cup water

2 good tbls worchestire sauce

garlic powder (or fresh minced)

dash of hot sauce (or 2 or 3)

bread crumbs (or Panko or omit all-together)

salt and pepper

steak seasoning

Preheat over to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl place your meat and all spices. Mix eggs in a bowl to the side. I think meatloaf should be handled as little as possible. So I put all the ingredients in a bowl and fold them in gently. Like dough if you handle it too much it turns out tough or like mush. We all remember our schools version of loaf - not so good. Once you have them mixed in shape into a loaf and place in a shallow roasting pan. I like to sprinkle the steak seasoning on top - my kids like catsup with hot sauce on top too. Bake in the oven for 45 min or until done.

**Now for the sandwich.

The basics: soft bread, catsup, mayonnaise. I also like to add a slice of red onion or a pickle. Yum. Ok this maybe a recipe for just me but I love it!

what is your secret indulgence?

enjoy!