Author: Chef Cloud Wine

  • Recipe For Flat Iron Steak and Spinach Salad

    Ingredients

    2 pounds flat iron steak
    salt and ground black pepper to taste
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    1 large red onion, thinly sliced
    1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
    3 large red bell peppers, cut into 1/2 inch strips
    2 portobello mushrooms, sliced
    1/2 cup red wine
    4 cups baby spinach leaves
    1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

    Directions

    Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat; lightly oil the grate.

    Season the flat iron steak on both sides with salt and pepper. Cook to desired degree of doneness on preheated grill, about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let rest in a warm area while proceeding with the recipe.

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion, and cook until it begins to soften, about 4 minutes. Pour in the Italian salad dressing, and bring to a boil, then stir in the red peppers and mushrooms. Reduce heat to medium, and cook until the peppers are tender, about 5 minutes.

    Remove the vegetables from the skillet with a slotted spoon, and set aside. Increase the heat to medium-high, and add the red wine. Simmer the salad dressing and wine until it has reduced to a syrupy sauce, about 5 minutes.

    Meanwhile, divide the spinach leaves onto serving plates. Thinly slice the flat iron steak across the grain. Spoon the warm, cooked vegetable mixture over the spinach leaves, then place the sliced steak on top. Spoon on the reduced red wine sauce, and finally, sprinkle with blue cheese.

  • Recipe For Dinah’s Baked Scallops

    Ingredients

    20 buttery round crackers, crushed
    black pepper to taste
    1 teaspoon garlic powder
    1 pound sea scallops, rinsed and drained
    1/2 cup butter, melted
    1/4 cup dry white wine
    1/2 lemon, juiced
    1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

    Directions

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish.

    Combine crushed crackers, black pepper and garlic powder in a small bowl. Press scallops into mixture so that they are evenly coated, and place them in the greased baking dish.

    In a separate bowl, mix together melted butter, wine and lemon juice; drizzle mixture over scallops.

    Bake in preheated oven until scallops are lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley.

  • Cranberry-Pear Tossed Salad Recipe

    Ingredients

    1/3 cup apricot nectar
    1/3 cup red wine vinegar
    1/3 cup canola oil
    2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1/8 teaspoon pepper
    2 tablespoons sugar
    1/2 cup chopped walnuts
    12 cups torn mixed salad greens
    3 medium pears, sliced
    1/2 cup dried cranberries
    3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

    Directions

    For dressing, in a bowl, whisk together the first six ingredients; set aside. In a heavy skillet, melt sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add walnuts; stir to coat. Remove from the heat.

    In a large salad bowl, combine greens, pears and cranberries. Drizzle with dressing. Add nuts and blue cheese; toss.

  • Sunny Vegetable Salad Recipe

    Ingredients

    5 cups broccoli florets
    5 cups cauliflowerets
    2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
    2/3 cup chopped onion
    1/2 cup raisins
    1 cup mayonnaise
    1/2 cup sugar
    2 tablespoons cider or red wine vinegar
    6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
    1/4 cup sunflower kernels

    Directions

    In a large salad bowl, toss broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, onion and raisins. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Sprinkle with the bacon and sunflower seeds.