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Community Corner

An Engagement Dinner Recipe for Wedding Season

It's wedding season. Do you have friends, family, or loved ones recently engaged? Invite them over for a romantic and delightful engagement dinner.

The art of entertaining is an important way for us to share with those around us. Entertaining can often get lost in the hustle and bustle of the day or work week. When people you care about are celebrating a life changing experience like an engagement, a baby, or even a clear bill of health, invite them over for a quick, easy and healthy dinner. Prepared fresh by you is always the best gift to celebrate any life engagement.

Bring out your nice china. This is a fun recipe to serve. On the menu is a great spinach salad with baked potato and grilled tri tip—recipes from Todd and Kelley Tremelling.

Gather at the Poway Farmers Market:

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  • 4 large russet potatoes, as is
  • 1 bunch of fresh rosemary, dice half, leave half whole sprigs
  • 1 bunch of spinach, washed and trimmed
  • 6 tangelos, peeled and sliced
  • 1 bunch of mint, tear or slice off leaves
  • 2 heads of endive, sliced
  • 2 bunches of green onions, sliced
  • 1 cup of walnuts, halved and toasted
  • 1 head of garlic, minced
  • 1 bottle of olive oil, flavored with herbs will be an extra bonus!
  • 1 container of honey or agave nectar

Ingredients from the Cabinet or Local Grocery Store:

  • Between 1 1/2 to 3 pounds of freshest tri tip available
  • A couple bottles of beer
  • Steak sauce
  • Salt
  • Fresh ground pepper (A Must Have)
  • A couple splashes of Champagne Vinegar

Directions:

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Tri Tip: Make sure your coals are red and smoldering. Keep lid closed, allowing grill to reach about 550 degrees Fahrenheit. If wood or gas grill is being used, make sure temperature is roughly the same. Using tongs and two platters (one for the fresh meat, one for the cooked meat) sear your tri tip on each side (about five minutes).

In order to cook medium, keep a close eye on the meat and allow to cook in a less warm area of the grill (not the middle) for another five minutes on each side. Rare eaters will be three more minutes on each side. Well-done will be seven minutes on each side. Keep in mind these are estimates and checking the center of your meat is recommended. Cooking a steak thoroughly can take up to 20 or 30 minutes, generally. Be sure to keep a squirt bottle full of water near by for any "fat dripping" flare-ups on the grill. Let each slice of meat rest for five to ten minute before slicing. Keep covered with tin foil right before serving to maintain heat.

Bonus Tip #1: Marinate your tri tip in beer, garlic, salt, pepper and honey for up to an hour before cooking. The longer the marination, the deeper the taste. Add steak sauce to the marinade if you and your guests will enjoy the rich taste. Fresh herbs like cayenne pepper, sweet paprika, thyme, rosemary, and parsley work well too.

Bonus Tip #2: Keep a sharp steak knife close by. If this is your first time grilling meat, cut in to make sure you're reaching the desired temperatures for the steak.

Barbecued Baked Potatoes: Bathe your potatoes in olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Go ahead- just slather it on with your hands. Get messy with it. This is a great opportunity to have the kiddos help as well. Once potatoes are accurately seasoned, wrap them in tin foil, throw in a couple sprigs of rosemary for good will, and allow to cook on grill for between 60 to 90 minutes, or until fork tender. Keep grill lid shut to assist in this process. Check on potatoes every 20 minutes until ready. Open, slice and serve.

Spinach-Endive Salad from Cooking Lite Magazine: Layer trimmed and washed spinach in serving dish. Use four of the tangelos to slice and serve within the salad. Layer sliced endive and toasted walnuts on top of salad. Season with a smidge of salt and several cracks of pepper. Dress with green onions atop.

Salad Dressing: Use the juice of one tangelo and the rind of another. Mix fresh juice, grated rind, three tablespoons of champagne vinegar, and two tablespoons of olive oil. Add fresh mint leaves and a handful of sliced green onions. Whisk together with salt and pepper for fresh dressing. Dress salad at table for extra ambiance.

Whatever engagement is occurring in the lives of those you love, celebrate with a meal to serve, eat, and enjoy with each other.


 

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