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Menu Plan for the week of Nov. 22, 2013: Day 2 Recipes

Beef Tips with Mushroom and Shallots
Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
Broccoli with Lemon Pepper

Cooking time:  45 minutes for menu       Cooking schedule: see below for instructions

      Beef Tips or Sirloin Tips are a classic, old Steak House menu item.  The Mash with Caramelized Onion is my own classic.

Beef Tips with Mushroom and Shallots         Preparation and cooking time:   45 minutes
     This uses a better cut of beef, sirloin tips, and is not meant to be braised for a long time. If you get a really nice, tender cut, don't braise at all, keep medium-rare.  Just brown quickly, and add to the sauce at the end to reheat.

14oz (420gr) beef tips or sirloin tips
4oz (125gr) mushrooms
4 medium shallots
1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup (3oz, 90gr) dry sherry
1/3 cup (3oz, 90gr) beef broth
1 tbs olive oil
1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 tbs water

The beef:  Cut beef into 1" (2.5 cm) cubes.  Heat oil in a medium skillet.  Add beef and brown quickly on all sides.  Remove and set aside.
The sauce:  Trim and thickly slice mushrooms.  Peel shallots and cut into quarters vertically. After removing beef add shallots and mushrooms to skillet, sauté until starting to brown, 5 - 7 minutes.  Add broth, sherry, Worcestershire, browned beef, cover and simmer, 30 minutes. 
To finish:   Dissolve cornstarch in water. Uncover skillet, increase heat, add cornstarch, stirring until thickened. Serve.

Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions   Preparation and cooking time:  30 minutes
    The caramelized onions add a bit of sweet and the horseradish adds a bit of hot, making these a great accompaniment to roast meats... with or without gravy!

2 medium potatoes, 10oz (300gr)
1 large onion
1 tbs olive oil
1 tbs brown sugar
1 tsp prepared horseradish
1 tsp Dijon-style mustard
3 tbs milk, yogurt or chicken stock

Peel and cut potatoes into cubes.  Cook in boiling, salted (1/4 tsp) water, partially covered, for 15 - 20 minutes, until very tender.
Peel and cut onion in half through the stem end.  Cut into thick slices, then cut the slices in half.  Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add onions and sauté until very tender and starting to brown, about 25 minutes.  Stir in sugar and cook, stirring, until sugar is melted.  Keep warm.
To assemble: Put milk, horseradish and mustard in a small bowl and stir or whisk well, to break-up mustard.  Add to skillet with the onions and heat through.  Drain potatoes and mash with potato masher or fork.  Add the onion/milk mixture and stir well to combine.

Broccoli with Lemon Pepper                          Preparation and cooking time:   20 minutes
    A bit of lemon perks up the flavor of broccoli and the pepper adds just a touch of heat to make things interesting.

1/2 medium head of broccoli
1 tbs olive oil
1 tbs butter
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp seasoned pepper or lemon pepper or 1/4 tsp regular pepper

Cut broccoli into bite size florets and stems.  Put in steamer basket in saucepan with an inch of water in bottom.  Put on medium heat and steam for 10 - 12 minutes or until done.  Remove from pan and set aside, discarding water. 
In same pan heat butter and oil.  Add lemon, thyme and pepper and sauté lightly.  Add broccoli and stir.  Serve.

Cooking Schedule: 45 minutes for menu Assemble all food, utensils and serving dishes Utensils: measuring cups, spoons, knives, small bowl, small saucepan, lid, medium saucepan with steamer basket and lid, 2 medium skillets, 1 lid Slice onion, sauté Cut beef Trim, slice mushrooms Peel, cut shallots Brown beef Remove beef, add mushrooms, shallots, brown Return beef, add sherry, broth, Worcestershire Cover beef, simmer Peel potatoes, cut, cook

Pause while stuff cooks Cut broccoli, steam Mix milk, horseradish, mustard, set aside Dissolve cornstarch in water, set aside     Pause while stuff cooks Drain potatoes, return to heat briefly to dry Remove broccoli, drain pan Add butter, oil, lemon, thyme, pepper, heat Add broccoli, turn heat very low Mash potatoes Add horseradish mix to onions, heat through Add onions to potatoes, mix well Add cornstarch to beef, stir to thicken Serve all

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By Katie Zeller

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