Dinner Tonight!

I haven't posted a recipe in awhile, and this one was too good NOT to share! I messed with it a little, and had to make it on the stovetop/oven in order to avoid the snow-covered deck/grill. I cut the recipe in half for Adam and I. Enjoy!

Steak Bruschetta Salad

Dressing: 6 Tbsp. ranch dressing
1 1/2 Tbsp. prepared horseradish (opt.)

Steaks:
1 Tbsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons ground coffee
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp. ancho chile powder (I used regular chili powder)
4 (4 oz.) beef tenderloin steaks, trimmed (1 inch thick)

Bruschetta:
1/4 c. chopped shallots or finely chopped red onion
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil
1/4 c. chopped red bell pepper
1-3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (I used half of a lemon)
balsamic vinegar to taste (I used 1-2 Tbsp?)
12 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
romaine and arugula lettuce (enough for an entree-sized portion per person)

1. To prepare salad dressing, combine ranch and horseradish in a sm. bowl. Chill.
2. To prepare steaks, combine black pepper, ground coffee, ground cumin, and chili powder. Rub sides of steak with mixture. Let stand 10 minutes.
3. Heat oven to 400.
4. Combine shallots or onion, fresh basil, bell pepper, juice, vinegar, and tomatoes in a small bowl. Toss well.
5. Heat a nonstick pan over high heat, with approx. 1 tsp. olive oil. Add steaks to pan. Sear all sides. Cook approx. 5 minutes on each side, turning heat down a bit. Cover and keep on med. heat for 5-10 more minutes, turning regularly.
6. If you like the steak med-rare, it should be fine at this point. If not, place on a baking sheet and bake in oven to desired temperature, approx. 8 minutes for medium, depending on the thickness of the steak.
7. Toss lettuce with desired amount of dressing - place on plate. Remove steak from oven and let sit for 7 minutes on cutting board before slicing.
8. Top lettuce with desired amount of bruschetta mixture.
9. Cut each steak diagonally across the grain into thin slices. Place steak slices over salad. Serve immediately, with garlic bread!
*Recipe courtesy Cooking Light and me!

A New President!

I'm very excited today, as President Obama will be sworn in! I have high hopes for his presidency, and I can't wait to watch the Inauguration ceremony at lunch today. May God bless Barack!

Spring Break!

Adam and I have booked our spring break trip!! After many, many hours of research, we've found what we feel is the perfect place. April can't come soon enough!! We'll be going to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic!

Holiday Pics

Here are a few pictures over the holidays, thanks to Suzanne! I have made a vow (to myself) that I will be a LOT better about taking my camera along with me and trying to photograph things more often. I need to be better.


Last night, Adam and I went to dinner with my parents, and then we headed downtown to one of my favorite places, One Trick Pony...we saw the band Mid-Life Crisis, which happens to be the band that Mr. Paul is in (vocals, piano/keyboards) - the Paul family is who I nannied for for 8 years! We had a great time - there were literally dozens of people there that we knew, and we lasted as long as the band played. They are wonderful! Today we're doing laundry and cleaning, and Adam is preparing for his job training - I am preparing to FREEZE with the cold temps that are coming. Winter is not my favorite.

Good For You

I learned a great relationship "tool" at a work conference, and it has been useful to Adam and I, as well as many friends whom I've shared it with - it's a simple question to ask your spouse/significant other. It provides insight into what's bothering your spouse, and what makes your spouse happy...here it is:

1. Ask, "What is one thing I do that harms our relationship?"

2. Wait for your spouse to answer...listen to his response, and do NOT argue. Let him talk. He may only say ONE answer - not more - his answer should be fairly concise.

3. Wait 30 seconds - think about what your spouse has told you. Then, respond with "Thank you" in a pleasant voice (not an annoyed or angry voice.) Don't ask questions, don't ask for clarification, and don't argue/defend yourself. Just take it in.

Now, switch roles...do the same thing.

4. Next, ask each other this question, in the same manner: "What is one thing I do that is good for our relationship?" Answer each other with a "Thank you" as you did previously.

Adam and I have done this periodically, and it is so good - it's simple, yet it allows us to see what we are doing that is frustrating, and what we are doing that is positive. It's not giving a list of frustrations, and it's done in a calm way...very useful and eye-opening. Something to try!

Happy New Year!

Adam and I had a wonderful New Year's Eve...we went to a superb dinner at Louis Benton, and got all dressed up...I had on the red dress from our first trip to NYC, the night we saw Phantom. Adam looked wonderful in his new suit and the tie I bought him on my girls weekend in Chicago. Notice that I am describing our outfits...yeah, that's because we left our camera in the car. :( After dinner, we planned on hanging out downtown GR and watching the ball drop, however that was the plan of over 20,000 others! Packed streets, packed bars and restaurants...lines galore. I was in the red strapless dress with heels, and just didn't feel like standing outside. So, we came home, popped our champagne, and sat in front of the fire and watched the ball drop on tv! At 12:02, Adam gave me a Pandora charm - the wedding cake - to celebrate the one year anniversary of our engagement. He asked me last year on New Year's Day, when I went out for a few minutes to get pizza. It was a total and complete surprise when he asked me to marry him, as was the wedding cake charm. :) What a romantic, sweet husband I have. I am reminded of it often, and am so grateful.

We spent Friday in Detroit with my grandma, aunt & uncle, and their 3 kids. We had a great trip, and it was so nice to catch up with everyone. Adam is now not feeling well, so we are relaxing at home tonight. We both have to go back to work on Monday, so we are just enjoying our house and laying low until reality sets back in. January looks pretty quiet for us...Adam is going to Chicago for job training for a couple weeks, and I am excited to visit him on his off weekend!

I hope everyone has a good week!