Something a little different, and yummy

I may not be a food blogger. However, in the last few weeks, I have made the same new recipe about 3 times and I must say, it has become my new favorite dinner item.

I was at my parents' home on a regular Sunday, waiting for someone to get ready (it feels like eternity, waiting for either one of my siblings or parents to get ready to go anywhere), and watching the Food Network. I sometimes watch the Barefoot Contessa, although I think her food is not the healthiest, she prepares it with such elegance and passion, it's really a viewing pleasure.

She got my attention when she started using lime, avocado and big piece of tuna steak for her recipe. Three items, I love, love, love. After reluctantly waiting a week (different plans came up), the evening finally arrived where I would get to make it at home. I tweaked it a little bit of course, like every cook would, by adding a little more lime than recommended and not serving it on rolls (too heavy) but rather with tortillas.

I am sure you are going to love it.

Here's the recipe, I "borrowed" it from FoodNetwork.com:

Ingredients

nocoupons

• Good olive oil
• 1 pound very fresh tuna steak, 1-inch thick
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lime, zest grated
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
• 1/2 teaspoon wasabi powder
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 5 dashes hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
• 1 firm, ripe Hass avocado, medium-diced
• 1/4 red onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced scallion, white and green parts
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 9 hot dog rolls, grilled or toasted
• 1 bunch baby arugula, washed and spun dry

Directions

Heat a charcoal grill with hot coals. Brush the grill with oil.

Brush both sides of the tuna with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Cook the tuna over the hot coals for about 2 1/2 minutes on each side. Remove to a plate. The tuna should be seared on the outside and raw inside. Allow to cool and cut into cubes.

(If you don't want to heat a grill, you can sear the tuna in a dry saute pan over high heat. Heat the pan for 2 minutes, add the tuna steaks and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on each side until seared on the outside and still raw inside.)

For the dressing, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the lime zest, lime juice, wasabi powder, soy sauce, hot sauce, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Toss the avocado in the dressing and then add the tuna, red onion, scallion, and sesame seeds. Line the rolls with arugula leaves, fill with the tuna mixture, and serve.

Handbag hooks --a place to hang your bag!

I get very excited when I add new items to the store. In particular, the new handbag hooks designed by Luxe Link.

Picture it: You are out to lunch at a french cafe, find a great seat. The chairs are wick with a round back. Just comfortable enough and adding to the beautiful french bistro feel. But, where do you put your purse? You can't hang it on the chair, b/c it fall right off the rounded edges. Alas, you relent to parking your beautiful purse on the floor.

If you hate doing that as much as I do, then the handbag hooks are just the right thing for you. Just whoop out the handbag hook, hang your purse handles on the hook and attach the designer top to the table. And voila, problem solved.

I can tell you, there has not been a single time that I am out at a restaurant, with my purse hanging of my decorative handbag hook, and at least one person asks me about it.

My best friend bought it for me for my birthday. I must admit,when I first received it, I thought I would never use it. I put it on my large hobo, thinking it someday it may come in handy. The first time I used it, I became hooked. Now, if I do not have it with me (because my busy head forgets everything at some point), I hold my purse the entire time, instead of putting it down. I'm so used to not putting my purse on the floor anymore, that the mere thought of it, 'grosses' me out.

It's convenient, pretty, practical and every woman will use it.

I decided to carry a selection of these handbag hooks in my store (although it's not technically houseware related) because I love them so much. I hand picked the designs available and hope that you will enjoy them.

Needless to say, I'm offering them below retail value. Always a deal at Brentwood Kitchen.

Let me know how you like them. I look forward to your feedback.