PUT A LITTLE SPRING...

IN YOUR STEP SALAD!

go ahead and prepare your taste buds for deliciousness.

STEAK WITH SUMMER SQUASH AND PINE NUTS

(recipe from real simple)

1 1/2 pounds flank steak

salt and pepper

2 T olive oil

1/4 C pine nuts

2 cloves minced garlic

2 summer squash (diced)

1 red bell pepper (diced)

1 bag romaine lettuce

1) heat broiler on high.

place steak on baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.

broil to desired doneness

(about 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare).

let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

2) heat oil, pine nuts, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

stir and cook until the mixture is golden (about 1-2 minutes).

3) add the squash, bell pepper, and some salt and pepper.

stir often until the veggies are tender (about 4-5 minutes).

serve the veggies and steak over lettuce,

drizzle with olive oil if desired.

MEAT CUPCAKES...

in case you are needing a recipe for dinner this week, i'm here to help you out.

but first, a story-
it all started back in the 70's when my mom was a proud member of FHA (future homemakers of america). they were having the big annual cook-off at her high school. being the smart cook she is she knew that lots of young homemakers in the making would enter something in the dessert category, so she decided to make a meat dish in hopes that there wouldn't be as much competition. i guess her plan worked because she took home a first place ribbon for her batch of "poppin' fresh barbecue cups" that year. and not only that, but she had a proven winning recipe to make for years to come.

fast forward to present times, when we are always looking for easy dinner recipes at our house. i stumbled across this recipe from my mom's kitchen and had fond memories of eating it many times growing up. i made it once for evan who immediately requested it become a regular in our dinner rotation. but he refuses to call it by the real name and affectionately calls them "meat cupcakes" because they are baked in the same pan as his favorite dessert- cupcakes. i'll admit you might feel a little funny at first cooking a main dish in the muffin tins, but you won't regret it. call them what you will, i hope your family enjoys this easy, tasty recipe as much as we do!

POPPIN' FRESH BARBECUE CUPS (aka- MEAT CUPCAKES)INGREDIENTS:

3/4 LB. GROUND BEEF
1/2 C KETCHUP
1 T MUSTARD
2 T BROWN SUGAR
1 CAN BISCUITS
1/4 C SHREDDED CHEESE

DIRECTIONS:
PREHEAT OVEN TO 400 DEGREES.
BROWN THE BEEF AND DRAIN.
MIX KETCHUP, MUSTARD, AND BROWN SUGAR TOGETHER TO MAKE A BARBECUE SAUCE.
ADD THE SAUCE TO THE BEEF.
SEPARATE DOUGH INTO BISCUITS.
FORM DOUGH INTO CUPS ON THE MUFFIN TINS.
SPOON THE MEAT INTO THE DOUGH CUPS.
BAKE AT 400 DEGREES FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES
(OR UNTIL THE BISCUIT DOUGH LOOKS DONE).
SPRINKLE THE TOPS WITH CHEESE.
AND DINNER IS SERVED!