What did you do today...

[blues2cruise]

I worked, then shopped, then cooked dinner for a friend.

[HYPERR]

Wow that sounds incredibly good!

It was. And I surprised my wife with a fresh, crisp and sweet watermelon all sliced into wedges for dessert, just the way she likes it. It was an unexpectedly amazing combo of flavours, the steak and watermelon, I'm going to have to repeat that next time.

I'll let you in on the secret of how I cook a steak... first off, you need to select a quality cut like a thick sirloin. Blade or simmering steak is a waste of time, as it will not break down enough during the marinating and cooking process to become tender. In a large cooking dish, pour in 2 bottles of beer (preferably a dark ale, but you can experiment with different types) with 2 tbsp soy sauce and 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce. Mix lightly with a fork until the colours all blend evenly. Place the steak(s) in the dish and spoon some of the liquid over top if there isn't enough to cover the tops. Then sprinkle a healthy amount of Montreal Steak Spice over both of them and place the dish in the fridge for 2-4hrs. Flip the steaks every 1/2hr and add more steak spice as required. When ready to begin, preheat the oven to 425F and position the rack in the middle setting. In a large oven-proof frying pan, heat up 1/8 brick of salted butter over high heat. When pan is hot (dip a finger in some water and flick onto the pan, when it dances for a bit and then evaporates right away, the pan is ready). Remove the steak(s) from the marinade, discard the marinade. Place steak(s) in pan and sear no more than 4 minutes each side. Transfer the pan directly in the oven and bake for 6-8 minutes, depending on desired doneness. Do not flip the steaks during cooking and do not open the oven door until steak is ready to be removed. Remove pan (PLEASE remember to use oven mitts when grabbing the pan by the handle. DAMHIK) and place on cool stovetop, let sit for a couple minutes. Transfer steak to plate and dig in!

You will not believe how incredibly tender and flavourful the meat is when cooked this way - you may never grill one again.

So I finally got around to trying this. I used my own marinade a made with a combination of Italian salad dressing and Au Poivre marinade, but used Gummiente's method of pan searing in a cast iron skillet and direct transfer to a hot oven.

So the verdict? I was very impressed. The steak was absolutely yummy and it was very tender and juicy. In terms of juicy-ness and tenderness, it is actually better than a propane gas grill. However a great charcoal grill like a Weber does beat it out by a smidgen. Also it is obviously missing that great charcoal smokey taste. It is however so much easier to do than prepping and cooking on a charcoal grill. I would never have believed that pan seared/oven broiled steak could taste this good! I will definitely be doing this again and on a regular basis. Thanks Gummiente!

[mogster]

Have sat here at home for the past 2 hours all dressed up & nowhere to go!

Fella went up to his yard to pick up my bike (yes he nicked it again) & then we were going out for a ride.

After waiting for ages I was starting to get worried. Have just phoned him & he's visiting his father!!

Glad he's catching up with his Pa but coud have done without the worry!

By the time he gets back we will only have about 2hrs of daylight left

Nevermind at least I have been watching Stoner win at Valencia

[mogster]

Saga continues............so he came home eventually! We then had to come down to local supermarket to get fuel.

Guess what?

Despite starting first time at the yard & having a 20mile ride home my bike now flat!!

This is the 3rd time I have been stuck at the same supermarket. NOT happy!

[blues2cruise]

Time to find a new supermarket. Or..tell the manager of the super market to clean up the parking lot.

[blues2cruise]

Today my friend and I went to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary on Westham Island. (It's at Ladner BC) The annual migration of the snow geese is happening. There are thousands of them that make a stop over on their way south. What a cacophony.

We walked for a few hours and got some good pictures of other kinds of birds....the snow geese were too far away for my 200mm lens.

[dr_bar]

Woke up in Kamloops and drove to Calgary. Visiting with kids and Grandkids. Here 'till Wednesday.

[sapaul]

Planning for the second biggest cycle challenge in the world

the 94.7 cycle challenge

bluurrhhgg another 3am in the morning job

[High_Side]

Woke up in Kamloops and drove to Calgary. Visiting with kids and Grandkids. Here 'till Wednesday.

Looks like I missed you AGAIN. I'm off to Denver for a few days of business in a couple of hours...

[Wrider]

Woke up in Kamloops and drove to Calgary. Visiting with kids and Grandkids. Here 'till Wednesday.

Looks like I missed you AGAIN. I'm off to Denver for a few days of business in a couple of hours...

Let me know if you're bored, I'm sure I can come up with some excuse or another to get up to Denver!