Dinner Discussions

Tim said he was wanting some red meat, and while we have a freezer full of it, we don't eat a ton of it, and I realized it had been a little over a week since we'd had a good red meat meal. He asked for smothered steak.

Now that's my kind of meal! Very showy and impressive, takes a little time, but easy! I got sirloin steaks out of the freezer to thaw for two days in the fridge. Then when I got home I threw four of them in a ziploc bag with olive oil, italian seasoning, red cayanne pepper, and freshly grated black pepper to marinate while we did homework.

After homework I fired up the grill and threw the steaks on. While they were grilling I sliced onion, red pepper, and yellow pepper and sauted them on the stove. I thought it was smelling heavenly by that point. When they were about done I added in some mushrooms (previously sauted and left over so they just needed warmed).

Next I grated chedder and montrey jack cheeses and put water on for mashed potatoes (instant). After turning the steaks and adding a little steak sauce I went back inside and turned the oven on to preheat. I got the "fancy" plates for Tim and I out. When the steaks were done, I put one on each plate for Tim and I and topped with onions, mushrooms (but not on mine), red peppers, yellow peppers, a handful of chedder cheese and a handful of montery jack cheese. Then I popped them in the oven for the cheese to melt.

I got the plates out and set Tim's in front of him, cautioning him not to touch his plate. Just like at a restaraunt. I added a nice side of mashed potatoes, and boy did it look good.

Simon walked into the kitchen and said with disdain, "What's that smell?" I laughed and said, "Puke, I'm making you puke for dinner!" The other boys laughed and laughed.

I'd made smothered steak once before and they loved it, so I wasn't worried. The boys don't like things piled up like that so they each got a chunk of steak and whatever toppings they wanted on the side. Simon was still very apprehensive. However as the meal progressed they kept asking for more toppings and more steak. Then as Simon was eating he said, "Mom, this is the best dinner!"

Always trying to teach I said, "Thanks Simon, but remember when you acted like it was going to be terrible? The smell you were smelling was the smoke from the grill-some of it came in the back door. Maybe next time you can ask more nicely so my feelings don't get hurt. What do you think?"

"Okay, Mom, I'll be nicer, because this is really good."

Then Noah, who is just chowing down on the steak says, "Mom, in my whole life, this is the best dinner I've ever had."

"Thanks Noah!"

Tim, ever one to needle the boys said to Noah, "Better than McDonalds even?" Noah said yeah, but knew he was being trapped. I offered him an out, "McDonalds is fun, but it's not this good is it?"

Noah was glad to be saved and said, "Yeah, McDonalds is fun for kids, but this is really good. The best."

I wish I had a picture to show but I didn't think of it until we had already eaten!