We need to eat more red meat...

Bandie Wandie and I rarely eat red meat.  That might sound like a good thing, but we aren't vegetarians nor are we trying to be healthy.  It's just that beef is a bit expensive in Japan and most of the cuts are really fatty.  Bandie only likes the lean red cuts.  The other night we were craving for steak so I made steak, baked potatoes, and some creamy garlic spinachie thing.  

The Recipe:

Sirloin Steak

2 garlic cloves  minced 

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh oregano 

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon paprika 

boneless sirloin steak

coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

1) Combine the garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika. Pat the steak dry with paper towels; sprinkle with salt and pepper, then coat generously with the spice paste. 

2) Put oil in skillet and heat on high.  Place steak and cook 3-4  minutes. Turn and sear well on the other side, 3-4 minutes longer. 

Baked Potato

2 large potatoes, olive oil to coat , salt

1) Heat oven to 180 degrees.

2) Wash potatoes thoroughly. Dry, then using a standard fork poke 8 to 12 deep holes all over the spud so that moisture can escape during cooking. 3) Place in a bowl and coat lightly with oil. Sprinkle with salt and place potato directly on rack in middle of oven. 

3) Bake 1 hour or until skin feels crisp but flesh beneath feels soft. 

Creamy Garlic Spinach

Water

Spinach, 1 head

3 tablespoons heavy cream

1 garlic clove, lightly smashed and peeled

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1) Boil water and cook spinach until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a sieve set over a bowl and press on spinach to remove excess liquid, then discard liquid.

2) Add cream, garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to saucepan and boil until reduced to 1 tablespoon, about 2 minutes. Add spinach to cream mixture and mix well.