Savory Hamburger Steak with Mushroom-Onion Gravy

Ground beef in any form is my all-time favorite comfort food. I enjoy it as meat loaf, meatballs, hamburgers - but most of all, I love hamburger steak. As a child, it was a real treat for our poor family. Here is a simple hamburger steak recipe sure to please the entire family.


   Savory Hamburger Steak with Mushroom-Onion Gravy


2# ground beef, 80/20 or 90/10 is best
3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbl spoon oil

Mix all ingredients thoroughly with ground beef. Form five (5) equal slightly oblong patties. heat skillet over medium-high heat, add oil and sauté patties ten minutes per side or until done inside. (165 degrees).
Remove from pan.

Mushroom-Onion Gravy

1 cup sliced white onion
1/2 cups sliced button or crimini mushrooms
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
3 Tbl spoons All Purpose flour
1 Tbl spoon vegetable oil
1 cup beef broth
1/8 tsp dried thyme
1/8 tsp ground sage

Keep temperature of skillet at medium-high. Add oil to drippings. Add onions and sauté until almost done (10 minutes). Add mushrooms and sauté another 5 minutes. Add flour and stir. Reduce heat and add beef broth. Add herbs and seasonings and allow to simmer until thickened.

Return hamburger steaks to mixture and heat.
Place steaks on plate. Spoon gravy over steaks. Serve with mashed potatoes or French fries.

This dish will bring back childhood memories.

Southwestern Tilapia with Blackbeans and Mango-Lime Salsa

Fish is good for the body and Tilapia an inexpensive and easy fish to prepare. Southwestern spices make this a savory dish.



          Southwestern Tilapia with Mango -Lime Salsa

4 Tilapia fillets
2 tbl spoon olive oil
1/4 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp Kosher salt
1.8 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground sage

Mix spices, pat or sprinkle on fillets. Heat sauté pan on medium-high heat until oil is hot. Place fillets flat side down and sauté 2 minutes. Turn, reduce heat to medium and cook for 4 minutes or until flaky and done.


Black Beans

1 can black beans, or 2 cups soaked and cooked dry beans.
1/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
black pepper to taste
1 lime (Use 1/2 for beans)
1 tsp chopped cilantro

Using canned beans or freshly cooked beans, add 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp Kosher salt, and pepper to taste. Squeeze juice of half lime into beans. Reserve second half for salsa. Add the cilantro. Serve with Tilapia.


Mango-Lime Salsa

1 mango
1 lime
1/2 cup fine diced red onion
1 minced jalapeno pepper, seeded
1 tbl spoon chopped cilantro
2 tsps. olive oil
salt/pepper to taste

Peel and small dice mango. Add chopped onion, jalapeno, Add olive oil and squeeze second half of lime into mix. Season with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and allow to sit 30 minutes for flavor to build. Spoon over cooked fish.