I’m a summer gal. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

I like the sun on my face and being outside. Eating.

But winter weather isn’t very conducive to patio meals. And since Punxsutawney Phil said we’ve got 6 more weeks of it, I’ve got to get creative.

I’ve just GOT to beat these winter blues.

So… I like to cook meals in the winter that remind me of summer. Hey, there’s no rule that says I can’t have a light strip steak salad with strawberries in the winter.

Or, perhaps, just grill up some ribeyes on the old barbecue and serve them with drinks with little umbrellas in them.

Steaks make me happy any time of year, but they REALLY bring to mind weekends spent outdoors, enjoying the weather and slowly grilling.

So I’m going to recall those glorious days this weekend with a grilled steak on my plate and memories of the sun in my head.

I’ll just do it indoors.

How about you? What are your favorite meal ideas for beating the winter blues?

I’m always confused which wines to serve with which dishes. I need a personal guide (maybe a cheat sheet) to help me navigate a steak and wine tasting.

I know that the right wine can bring out the flavor of a great steak – and vice versa. So I really want to get this right!

This handy chart shows us just what wine to serve with every meal – namely steak.

Want to serve beef tenderloin tips? Pair them with a nice Zinfandel for optimal flavor acceleration.

How about Sirloin steak? A lovely Mendoza will enhance the meal beautifully.

Try it for yourself and you’ll be a steak and wine pairing expert in no time!

It’s almost Fat Tuesday! Mardi Gras is a time to celebrate and feast before Lent.

Food is such a big part of this fun time and we’ve gotta do it right!

When you think of a traditional Mardi Gras recipe there’s Chicken Andouille Gumbo, Shrimp Etouffee, Creole Fried Rice, Muffulettas and King Cake.

But what if, like me, you’re hankering for some beef this Mardi Gras? Well, lucky for us, there’s a recipe for that!

Check out this Mardi Gras steak recipe. You can create this using whichever steak cuts you love: Kobe beef, ribeyes – the choice is yours!

The Original New Orleans Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras Steak

Ingredients:
2 scallions, white and greens, thinly sliced
1/3 cup chopped red onions
2 tbsp. minced garlic
1 tbsp. grated, peeled fresh ginger
1 tsp. minced, seeded jalapeno pepper
1 tbsp. ground coriander seeds
1/4 tsp. each black and cayenne pepper
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. each dried basil and kosher salt
1 packed tbsp. light brown sugar
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup each red wine, the soy sauce and bourbon into the spice mixture, vinegar, soy sauce, bourbon whiskey and olive oil
4 (8 oz.) Kansas City Strip Steaks

Directions: In a small bowl, combine the scallions, red onions, garlic, ginger and jalapeno pepper. In a large bowl combine the spices, basil, salt and sugar. Whisk the orange juice, both vinegars, soy sauce and bourbon into the spice mixture. Slowly drizzle the olive oil, whisking constantly. Add the scallion mixture and combine. Add the Kansas City Strip Steaks to the marinade and coat well. Marinate in the refrigerator overnight, turning once.

Bring to room temperature before grilling. Grill the steaks over hot coals 3-4 inches from the heat source for about 5 minutes per side for medium rare. Let rest for 10 minutes, before slicing against the grain into 1/4 inch thick slices. To serve, arrange the steaks on a large platter together with sliced tomato, onion, basil and fresh mozzarella salad.

The Salad:
2 large vine ripe tomatoes, sliced thick, 1 red onion, sliced thin, 2 cups of fresh basil leaves, 8 oz. sliced fresh mozzarella. Topped with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with white balsamic vinegar.