‘Listen’ to smell of Fire-Roasted Italian Steak

Advocate Staff Photo by HEATHER MCCLELLAND Fire Roasted Italian Steak takes an inexpensive cut of beef and makes it into a perfect meal for a busy day.

Fire-Roasted Italian Steak is one of those recipes that came together simply because it was what spoke to me at the grocery store.

We all have those days when we pass by some really nice cuts of beef or maybe the selection of produce looks enticing that day. When it all comes together, the imagination takes over and, before long, a sauce pops into mind.

Slow-cooking fans know that round steak is particularly good for the appliance because it ends up especially tender. That’s what I set out to use until a markdown at the meat counter caught my attention and I ended up with thinly sliced sirloin.

The combination of mushrooms and the seasoning blend, comprised of onions, celery and bell peppers, makes an appealing complementary flavor. The spices aisle means more decisions or maybe you have an especially well-stocked kitchen with lots of spices. If you do, check the expiration dates. The seasoning will not have the desired effect if it is beyond its recommended date.

Think about what spices will enhance your imagined dish and run with it. Maybe the next time you make the same recipe, you might try different spices. The aisle with all the convenience sauces was a fun one to browse as well. That’s the fun of your own creations.

Cut the round steak, or thinly sliced meat of choice, into strips or pieces, whichever is a preference. Serve over favorite pasta for an easy-end-of-a-busy-day meal.