Hey everyone! How was your day? I was finally able to breathe and catch up at work – which was so nice. I also managed to make it out for a quick 20 minute walk and got a preview of what was to come during my run this evening…humidity levels gone wild!
As my local weather forecaster stated, there is a “juicy air mass” hanging over our area which made for a very sweaty run – but a good one. I ran ~3.45 miles in 30 minutes. There were a couple of small hills on the trail so I tried out the running tips from this morning – they really worked! I imagined a rope tied around my chest and hips being pulled forward, which made my form a lot better, and getting up those hills A LOT easier! Give them a try!
Aight…we’re continuing the Summer Inspired Dinner Series tonight with the King of the Grill: Grilled New York Strip Steaks with Fresh Broccoli.
The summer inspired dinner series dinners are to be fresh, easy & conjure up images of summer…this dinner definitely did all that! Smokey grilled steak with bright, steamed broccoli. Gorgeous!
I microwaved my broccoli spears with a little bit of water for about 5 minutes. This was the perfect amount of time to keep a little bit of snap to the broccoli, as well as keep its bright, green color.
Our steaks were seasoned simply with worchestire sauce, garlic salt, onion powder, red pepper flakes & pepper. They were melt.in.your.mouth. delicious. I can definitely appreciate a good steak. I am from the Midwest after all!
A lot of people shy away from red meat because of health concerns. While red meat probably shouldn’t be consumed everyday, there’s nothing wrong with eating it on occasion and in moderation. I had about 1/3 of my steak, gave 1/3 to Ben and saved 1/3 for lunch tomorrow 
It was SO GOOD!
To round out Day 2, we had dessert. Oh yes, it was a FAB ONE. I made Individual Apple Crisps
I started by peeling and chopping two Granny Smith apples.
I combined the chopped apples with a dash of cinnamon, ~1 tsp sugar & ~1/2 tsp flour – then mixed well.
I spooned the mixtures into individual ramekins, which are KEY for Ben and I…we get a little crazy around crisp…
Next I combined 2 parts each of old fashioned oats and brown sugar, with 1 part each of flour and butter. I mixed and squished with my fingers until the mixture was crumbly, then topped the apples. (I had enough to make 2 individual servings, plus another small baking dish worth.)
30 minutes @ 375 = YUMMERS!!!!!!!!!!
Sweet, crunchy topping with soft, cinnamony apples. Pure Heaven.
Adding just a pinch of flour directly to the apples before you put on the toppings makes all the juices thicken up and give the crisp a “pie-like” consistency. Amazing.
Guys, I am so satisfied right now. Day 2 of the Summer Inspired Dinner Series was seriously delicious. Tomorrow we are going All American…you’ll see! 
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What’s your favorite “King of the Grill” item? Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Portobello Mushrooms, Brats, Burgers, Veggies??
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Oh wow….I want that apple crisp. I’m drooling. i LOVE apple crisp (heavy on the crisp
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I love Iowa steaks, had some this past weekend, but they are huge and can make 2-3 meals:) My favorite grilling is veggies like potatoes, mushrooms and onions!
I lovveee burgers, and that fact that just about any meat or fish is made into a burger these days
I love a good burger. Grilled chicken could be tied with a burger though!
The apple crisp looks delish, the peach cobbler I had the other night was dang good too!
YUM!!!!!!! The steak and the apple crisp look so so so good. I am new to your blog, I just subscribed and can’t wait to read more.
That apple crisp looks so good! I am totally making that soon!
Oh man, that apple crisp looks so good! Good thinking with the individual ramekins. That’s what I would need to do.
Check out that steak!!! Yum yum yum. I had steak tonight too! Filet Mignon rare for me. Sometimes a good steak totally hits the spot.
Wow. It’s a really good thing I don’t know where you live. I would start showing up right at dinner-time demanding to be fed. You have been cooking AWESOME food lately.
I can’t even begin to describe how perfect this meal is. Simple and satisfying! Love your photography, you make the meals jump off the page!
-Courtney
Your dinner looks delicious. I don’t eat red meat very often, but living in Nebraska I can definitely appreciate a great steak. The humidity levels are crazy here, it felt like it was raining at 5:30 when I left to run, very yucky. It’s supposed to rain this morning, but we’ll see what happens. I’ve been enjoying the summer fruits, but I’m certainly ready for apples and fall.
Any Iowa beef is great. Especially ribeyes. Put being from a family of Iowa hog farmers, any kind of grilled PORK is my FAVORITE. And not only for the Summer, but I grill all year long, enough in Iowa’s cold snowy Winters. GO HAWKS!
apple crisp is one of my faves – it is one of the main reasons why fall can come at any time!
DANG, that apple crisp looks awesome and sounds EASY! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
Those crisps look fab!! And the steak, yum! I totally agree with the red meat in moderation theory, great post
I read your blog all the time so I thought I would leave a comment. I made these the other night, the crisp that is, and it was amazing! I even had to make it again the next night too but with cranberries.
i just made your apple crisp and it was amazing! perfect portions…thanks for all your great recipes!