More Crazy Keyword Activity

It's quite amusing how some folks stumble onto Minxeats. I posted some of my search engine keyword activity back in May, and it seems like it's gotten worse since then.

For example:
"cat football funny"
"wrestling boner"
"tasteful cleavage"
"rottweiler pumpkin"
"shrimp poop"
and perhaps the most frightening of all: "Marcel Vigneron naked." No, wait, that would be "Melissa D'Arabian photo."

I also get more than my fair share hits for "Savannah Guthrie hot." Who is Savannah Guthrie?

Minxeats is the number 1 result for "Aaron McCargo Jr runaway son" and for "caribbean Branzino Cieno dish taste." I'm not all that sure if I've eaten branzino, so I don't know why I'm so high on the list. (All Top Chef is #2 in that same category.) We're also number 1 on Google Latvia for "work for food network."

Why are people still wondering "is Fabio Viviani married?" They would be better off wondering why he's sold out and shilling for Domino's.

Another query that led people to Minxeats was "how many percent Italian is Caroline Manzo?" Here's my answer: who cares? Seriously, if you care, you need to stop watching so much television.

Read food blogs instead. :)

Posted by theminx on Minxeats.com.

Leftover Flank Steak

Marinated and broiled flank steak is a versatile leftover. Rarely will I rewarm it and serve it in its original form; more likely, it will end up in pasta sauce, on pizza, or in tacos. We had a small piece of steak left over from last week's Korean-esque sandwiches and I decided to use it in sandwiches once again, this time changing up the bread and other fillings.

Lightly toasted flatbread formed the base, with sautéed mushrooms supporting the small bit of meat. A chopped pineapple relish, herb salad, and spicy mayonnaise added sweet and savory elements.

Leftover Flank Steak Sandwiches

Pineapple Relish
1 cup diced pineapple
1 tablespoon finely minced scallion
1 teaspoon Korean red pepper flakes, or ancho chile powder
1 teaspoon agave syrup or honey
pinch each salt and pepper

Spicy Mayo
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon Sriracha
2 Peppadew peppers, finely chopped

Mushrooms
olive oil
about 2 cups sliced mushrooms
3 scallions, cut in about 1" pieces
pinch salt

Assorted chopped herbs - basil, cilantro, mint
1/2 - 3/4 lb leftover flank steak, sliced thinly
2 flatbreads

To make Pineapple relish: mix all ingredients in a bowl, set aside
To make spicy mayo: ditto
To make mushrooms: heat a bit of olive oil in a saute pan and cook mushrooms and scallions until mushrooms release their juices and begin to brown, about 10 minutes. Salt to taste and set aside.
To assemble sandwich: lightly toast flatbreads. Cut in half. Spread insides with mayo. Top with mushrooms, steak, relish, and herbs. Cover with other half of bread and eat like a sandwich. Alternately, you can put toppings on both halves and eat open-faced.

Serves 2.

Posted by theminx on Minxeats.com.

Pumpkin Waffles

Last weekend was positively cold and the weather was a perfect excuse to break out the waffle iron and make some pumpkin-flavored waffles. I noticed that we had several apples in the crisper, some of which were starting to look elderly, so whipped up some apple compote with which to top the waffles.

The apples are so sweet and juicy, there's really no need for extra syrup, but you can certainly add some (and butter) if you wish!

Pumpkin Waffles with Apple Compote

Waffles:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 stick butter, melted
1/2 cup pumpkin purée
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk

Combine dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine melted butter and pumpkin, stir in eggs, then milk. Add dry ingredients and mix until well combined, but still a bit lumpy. Cook in a waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions.

Makes 10-12 waffles.

Apple compote:
1 tablespoon butter
3 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom

Melt butter in a saucepan, add apples and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat until apples soften and sugar and butter thicken into a sauce, about 15 minutes. Stir in cardamom. Serve over waffles.

Posted by theminx on Minxeats.com.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today marks the 11th anniversary of the marriage of Mr Minx and theminx, so we're taking the day off to celebrate. Dinner at Woodberry Kitchen tonight!

Nut and Bolt rings by Kiley Granberg.

Posted by theminx on Minxeats.com.