Tri-Tip and left overs! Mmmmm

Oven Roasted Tri-Tip

1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
Dry rub or marinade of your choice.

1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pound beef tri-tip, fat trimmed to 1/4 inch
Pan Sauce: (do not make if you use a wet marinade)
1/2 cup beef or chicken stock
1/4 cup red wine
1 teaspoon chopped fresh herb of your choice such as thyme or rosemary, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Sea Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Flavor Step: If you're using the garlic rub or a dry rub, combine all ingredients and generously season or rub the meat all over and let it stand at room temperature for up to 2 hours. Or cover the roast and leave it overnight in the refrigerator; let it sit at room temperature for 2 hours before cooking. If you're using a wet marinade, puncture the meat all over with a meat fork or skewer. Place it in a zip-lock bag or large bowl and pour the marinade over the meat. Marinate (cover if using a bowl), for up to 2 hours at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator. If the meat has been refrigerated, let it sit at room temperature for 2 hours before cooking.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Remove the meat from the marinade and pat it dry. Discard the marinade. Place the tri-tip, fat side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Roast for 20 minutes, then begin checking the internal temperature: You should remove the roast at 115 degrees F to 120 degrees F for rare, 120 degrees F to 125 degrees F for medium-rare.

Transfer the meat to a carving board or platter, cover loosely with foil, and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving to allow the residual heat to complete the cooking and the juices to stabilize.

Meanwhile, make the optional pan sauce: Pour off any fat from the roasting pan. Place the pan over a burner and add the stock, wine, and herbs. Bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce the sauce almost to a syrup. Whisk in the mustard and taste for salt and pepper.

Slice the meat into thin slices across the grain. If you made the sauce, pour it over the sliced meat, and serve.

My version of the Ultimate Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie...

My Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

( I honestly would compare the taste of these to Mrs. Fields – I am shocked that I am saying this, but it’s the first thing that came to my mind when I bit into them) ~CMM ☺

These cookies have a unique taste, they slightly stand raised, and are rich but not overly sweet. The two brown sugars add a crunch and carmelization flavor blend to the cookies too. I hope you enjoy ☺!

2 ¼ c. all-purpose flour 1 c. unsalted butter, softened
1 tsp baking soda ½ c. dark brown sugar, packed
½ tsp salt 1 ½ c. brown sugar, packed
1tsp sugar 2 large eggs
½ tsp baking powder 2 c. Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ tsp yeast

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Measure out flour and leave in the measuring cup. In a little custard dish or very small prep bowl mix the next 5 ingredients and set aside both. Cream the butter and sugars together on low and then increase spread for about 1-2 minutes. Add both eggs and mix well. Pour ½ the flour and ½ the mini prep bowl mixture into creamed mixture and blend on low and then increase speed. When well blended add the balance of the flour and dry mix and again blend slow and then speed up, blending about 3 minutes until well incorporated.
Hand mix in the chocolate chips. If your family loves nuts then hand mix in 1c. chopped walnuts, peanuts, or pecans at this point. Drop by kiddie ice cream scoop sized balls – you can eye it – onto cookie sheet, about 6 per large cookie sheet. No spray or butter needed in baking pan. I prefer to use parchment paper on my cookie sheets – it seems to create an even cookie temperature and makes for easy clean up too. Bake for 13-15 minutes. Makes about 18 large, thick, rich, and delicious cookies. Ovens and taste preferences vary so cooking times may vary as well. They should appear light golden brown. The perfect snack for the office on Friday, Valentine’s Day, or just as a special treat. Nothing says “I love you,” like a nice fresh baked chocolate chip cookie to the kids, spouse, or parents! Enjoy ☺! Make someone special in your life a batch today! (easily convert these into delicious ice cream sandwiches too!