Weekend Recipe: The Wedge Salad

I have been craving a simple wedge salad. Perfect little snack or just the right size to accompany a big Saturday night steak. Get your wedge on tonight! It's super easy for dinner or for a big crowd when you are grilling. Simply cut our old friend iceberg lettuce into wedges, put on a platter, cover, and chill until serving time. To serve, sprinkle with bacon, cheese, chopped tomatoes, scallions, toasted almond slivers or your other toppings. Serve with your favorite dressing or this so-good faux Thousand Island dressing my mom used to make.

For the real bacon bits, take cold bacon and chop it into chunks. Fry over medium heat until crispy and brown. Drain on paper towels.

Faux Thousand Island Dressing

1 cup mayo

1/4 cup ketchup

the yolk of one hard boiled egg

1 tablespoon dill relish

salt and pepper to taste

dash paprika

dash Worcestershire sauce

Mix together well and chill until serving time.

Martie Knows Parties: 4th of July Recipes: My BBQ Rib Rub, Mixed Grill with Cilantro Pesto, and more

Looking for party ideas for your gang this 4th of July? Me too! I'm so busy this week that I'm just now making plans. If you're still looking for ideas for your get-together, here are some of my past and present favorites that will help you make your holiday entertaining a breeze!

THE FOOD

Put some of these easy salads and grilling all-stars on your Fourth of July menu.... yum!

START WITH FRESH TOMATOES

This Grilled Flatbreads with Tomato and Basil recipe from MyRecipes.comlooks wonderful and easy. Try it as a spin on a typical Caprese Salad or try one of my easy tomato salad recipes below:

TIPSY CHERRY TOMATOES

CAPRESE KABOBS

MINI BLT BITES

READ MY BLOG POST ON EASY PARTY STARTERS FOR MORE TOMATO RECIPES THAT ARE PERFECT FOR SUMMER ENTERTAINING!

FROM THE GRILL

I'm going to try this new recipe from MyRecipes.com this 4th of July: Mixed Grill with Cilantro Pestosince I'm always looking for something new to add to my grilling repertoire. But, you can't go wrong with the classics either. Here's a rerun of some of my own favorite grilling recipes:

BEER CAN CHICKEN

BBQ RIB RUB

GRILLED SHRIMP & SCALLOPS

CEDAR PLANKED SALMON

Will post some drinks, desserts, and decorating tips next.... stay tuned!

Summer Fun: How to Create a S'mores Bar!

Want to add a little old school fun to any summer party? Build a s'mores bar! It's really easy to create some old school fun... who doesn't love s'mores! 

First question: what kind of party are you having? Casual? More elegant? Don't worry. You can create a s'mores bar with unique ingredients to suit the style and theme of your party. Use containers and vessels to suit the decor and mood of your event.

I like to make the marshmallows easy to reach so I create a little "sculpture" with them. For roasting, use something you can put into the fire--- wooden skewers work well, but only if you soak them in water for 30 minutes first so they don't burn up.

Select ingredients that will suit your menu. For this backyard camping party theme, we went a little old school with Hershey bars, graham crackers, and Jet-puffed marshmallows but added some fun with Nutella, the chocolate and hazelnut spread, sliced strawberries, coconut toasted marshmallows and even peanut butter. Then we also added some different cookies: Biscoff, Almond Thins, and ginger snaps are all good choices. 

Simply toast up your marshmallows to the desired degree of doneness. I don't like mine too burnt, but I know some of you do. Spread Nutella on your cookie. Layer sliced strawberries or raspberries. Add your toasted marshmallows and top with another cookie spread with Nutella. Your guests will love this variation on a campout classic!

Watch Martie's video on how to throw a backyard camping party on MyRecipes.comGreat ingredients for a s'mores bar:

Almost any topping you find at an ice cream or yogurt shop will work for a s'mores bar!

Hershey Bars

Nutella spread

Peanut Butter

Mini chocolate chips

Marshmallows

Orange marmalade

Sliced strawberries

Raspberries

Chopped peanuts

Sprinkles

Shredded coconut

Dulce de leche or caramel

Chopped, toasted hazelnuts

Chopped pistachios

MORE FUN WITH S'MORES! TRY MY OTHER RECIPES FOR THIS CLASSIC SUMMER TREAT:

INDOOR S'MORES- Rain? No time to build a fire? Try these fast, easy s'mores. And they keep!

S'MORES POPSICLES- Layer chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows for a frosty treat!

FOLLOW MARTIE ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE RECIPES, COCKTAILS, PARTY IDEAS & FUN!

Replay: Host a Patriotic Memorial Day Party, Beer Can Chicken and more!

Since I'm on the road this week and my schedule is a little off; I completely forgot that Monday is Memorial Day! Since this post has been one of the most popular that we've ever done, I thought I'd rerun it for you in case you're like me and need a few last minute ideas for the weekend's festivities. 

In a salute to the troops and in honor of our country's struggle to get back on our feet financially, let's all fly the flag and throw a classic backyard Memorial Day party this year! I love going old school-- and although I love keeping up with the trends, I am really old school at heart. This backyard BBQ is a blast from the past. From the music, to the decorations, to the backyard games and the dogs and burgers on the grill, this one goes back to Memorial days past but with a few new traditions that you'll love!

To read more, go to our original blog post: Back to the Classics: Host a Patriotic Memorial Day Party!

If you want a real crowd-pleasing recipe and a great presentation, too, try my Beer Can chicken recipe. You can do two or three of these for a big crowd and they are great for a party because they require little effort... more time with your guests!

For more ideas and great supplies for your party, go to Oriental Trading Companyand for recipes, how-tos and more, try our great friends at MyRecipes.com 

Or try our Backyard Asian BBQ... it's a great way to entertain. Your friends will love it! See the slideshow or watch the video now!

Game Day Grub: Martie's Best Ever "Steakhouse" Steaks with Herb Butter

Instant Replay! I had several requests this week for a good steak recipe and also for a game day recipe for a house full of men. This one can fill the bill---so here's a repeat performance of my Best Ever Steakhouse Steaks with Herb Butter. No grilling and no fire necessary! A good cast iron skillet is very important but any skillet you can put in the oven will work. Have a great weekend!

Martie's Steakhouse Steak

Steak of your choice

Kosher Salt

Fresh cracked pepper

Butter- 2 tablespoons for the skillet and 1/4 cup for the herb butter

Olive oil- about two tablespoons

Fresh finely chopped herbs of your choice--- basil or rosemary both work well-- chives are stronger but also nice. About a tablespoon is all you need but that's up to you if you want more--- add more.

For the herb butter, place 1/4 cup butter at room temp in a small bowl and use a fork to sort of mash and whip it until soft. Add your finely chopped herbs and mix well. Line a small ramekin or bowl with plastic wrap and spoon the butter mixture into it. Wrap the plastic over the butter and chill well. You can unmold this when you are ready to use it.

Get the cut of meat you like. I got a nice thick porterhouse--- but any steak cut will do for this recipe. Also, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. You will have to vary your cooking time based on the degree of doneness you want for your steak.

Let a large cast iron skillet begin to heat over low flame. Add a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of good olive oil to the pan and let them melt together. You may need more depending on the size of your pan.

Season both sides of the steak really well with salt and pepper.

When the butter is melted-- it burns easily so watch out---and the pan is hot, put in your steak and sear it well on both sides. Do not pick up the steak or move it around. Let it caramelize on one side before turning it--- about 3 minutes per side depending on the heat and the size of your steak. After you've seared the steak on both sides, carefully move it to your oven. I like my steak medium so I cook it in the oven for about 6 or 7 minutes or until the meat thermometer reaches about 140-145 degrees. Rare is about 120-125 degrees and medium rare about 130-135 degrees. 

After the steak has been in the oven for about 3-4 minutes, open the door and put a large slice of the herb butter on top of the steak-- it will melt down over the steak and add a wonderful flavor during the last minutes of cooking. Serve the remaining herb butter on the side or with the potatoes. Soooo good-- this is my favorite way to cook a steak. And no grilling required.