Date Night

Married life brings a new dynamic to date night. Okay, well not actually the married part but the I-teach-and-coach-110 know-it-all-teenagers part definitely does. When 6 o'clock Friday hits and I don't have a basketball game to monitor so cheer brawls don't break out I am exhausted. Too exhausted to come remotely close to date night appearance precedents so Friday nights (if free) are spent making dinner together and watch Jeopardy. I know. I know. I promise I have not instantaneously morphed into a late-aged retiree. Brett and I enjoy the competitive nature and well, let's be honest, making slight fun of the quirky contestants. This Friday we popped a few delicious bottles of wine, tried a new recipe, and screamed our answers at the television in hopes that one day Alex, our favorite game show guru, will someday hear us.

Saucy Steaks for the Grill
Penzey's Spice Catalog

4 Steaks
Steak Rub:
4 tsp mustard powder
2 tblsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp all spice
1/2 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
Basting Sauce:
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tblsp vinegar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tblsp course grain mustard
1 tsp paprika
2 tblsp ketchup
1/2 tsp hot sauce

1. Rinse steaks and pat dry. Combine all steak rub ingredients and apply to both sides of steak. Let sit for 45-90 minutes.
2. Combine all basting sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
4. Place the steaks over the hottest part of the grill for 2-3 minutes per side then move to a less hot part of the grill and continue cooking for 4-5 minutes per side.
5. Baste with sauce while on less hot part of the grill.
6. Remove and let stand 5 minutes before cutting. Serve with extra sauce.

Serves 4. (I would recommend lessening the paprika. The addition to the sauce and rub was just a little too much)

Pomegranate Asparagus

1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed
1/2 cup dried pomegranates
2 tblsp pomegranate red wine vinegar (or regular)
1 clove garlic, minced
drizzle olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a sheet pan. Make sure asparagus is evenly covered.
3. Bake 10-12 minutes or until crisp-tender.

Serves 2-4.