When college kids come home for the summer
How to enjoy the summer and avoid a clash with your college kids
June 11 - They go off to college as your sweet little baby, but when your college-age kids come home, all they want to do is sleep and stay out all night. What’s a parent to do? “Today” contributor and psychiatrist, Gail Saltz is with New York Presbyterian Hospital and she offers some tips for parents.
HOW TO DEAL WITH YOUR COLLEGE KIDS WHEN THEY COME HOME FOR THE SUMMER
Your summer can end in disaster if your expectations and your college kid’s expectations clash when they come home for the summer.
On the one hand, you are looking forward to seeing your child. You miss them. You expect them to be the same person they were when they left to go off to school. You expect them to step back into the role they had before they left for school in doing household chores, keeping a curfew, telling you almost everything, and following the rules of the family. You want to hear all about their studies, their friends, their ambitions and plans for school. You probably even hope to show them off to the extended family at get-togethers because you are proud of them.
On the other hand, your college kid just wants to come home and sleep, hang out with old friends and new friends, stay out all night and generally do whatever they’ve been doing at school.
They have spent the last year in an unstructured and unsupervised environment and probably really like it that way. This new world of theirs contains new people, new habits and a new style of dressing. You may or may not agree with this, and as a result they may not want to discuss it with you.
As you can see, this can all add up to disaster.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW YOU CAN AVOID BLOW UPS WITH YOUR COLLEGE KID
1. Negotiate conflicts early: There are things you know will be sources of tension. They tend to be curfews, use of the car, phone and Internet too, money use, who can come over when, and household responsibilities... sit down with your game plan and discuss with them their wishes. Find a place where you can compromise and make these the ground rules for the summer.
2. Be flexible: If you force the same rules on them they had before they lived on their own at school, they will truly resent it and may not want to come home, which would be a loss for you. So try to be more flexible while maintaining certain limits...
For instance, let your kid sleep until 1 p.m. for the first few days but then pick a reasonable time (like 10 a.m.) after that so that the rest of the family can do what they need to. Don’t insist they be home by 11 p.m. when you know at school they were out until 4 a.m., but do say they must tell you when they will be home in advance and stick to it or call if they cannot so you don’t have to worry when they aren’t there. If they use the car they must agree to times you can spare it...
3. Encourage an adult-to-adult relationship: When you come off as an authoritative parent, you push your child away. He or she may be struggling to become an adult, and it’s difficult. Try listening...Invite them to discuss how they feel about various issues and then also tell them how you feel. The evolution to this kind of relationship will be very gratifying for both of you.
4. Accept them: While your child is in the new universe of college, they are most likely trying on different personas, which may be different from the way they were before. But you need to be somewhat accepting of their different clothing, hair, friends and independence. In fact, you need to accept them as adults. If you are going to have a good relationship with them, you need to appreciate them for who they are.
5. Show them you want them home: Let them know how happy you are to be with them... Allow them time with their old and new friends, but then ask them to save some time for you, so you can do something fun together.
Dr. Gail Saltz is a psychiatrist with New York Presbyterian Hospital and a regular contributor to “Today.”
© 2008 MSNBC Interactive. Reprints
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3079389/ accessed June 14, 2009 9:16 a.m. EST
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The sky is NOT falling, but property taxes might be...
Lower taxes: Silver lining of falling home prices
Home price declines are causing tax assessors to revalue properties downward. Taxes will follow.
Les Christie, CNNMoney.com staff writer
Last Updated: May 27, 2009: 2:25 PM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Your home value has sunk like a stone, and you're so far underwater you'll have to hold your breath for years. Can you at least get a break on your property taxes?
In some cases, yes. Many municipalities' tax bills are due in May, and the tab for 2009 could be lower.
As a rule, city and county assessors reappraise property values annually or biannually, using recent sales of comparable homes in the neighborhood to set values. So in areas that have seen significant drops in home prices, appraisals - and thereby property taxes - could also drop.
"Assessors have been flooded with requests from homeowners to reassess their home values," said Los Angeles County Assessor Rick Auerbach...
... even if tax assessors reduce appraised values to reflect market conditions it still does not automatically mean a property tax cut. Localities could still raise their tax rates, the percentage of the home's value that is used along with the assessed valuation, to calculate the final bills.
"Taxes are based on property values times [the tax rate]. We could have declining values but make up for it by raising the rate," said Bill Donegan, the property appraiser for Orange County, Fla., which includes Orlando.
This year, though, the value drops are so steep that any rate rise will probably not offset the lowered assessments. Plus, governments usually can't just raise rates indiscriminately.
"In most places there's a statuary limit to rate increases," said Ken Wilkinson, the property appraiser for Lee County, Fla., where Cape Coral home values have plunged 44% from their peaks. "In Florida, they can't be raised more than 10%."
That should lead to substantial savings. In Orange County, the average taxpayer paid about 8% less last year, or nearly $130. "They may see a bigger drop this year," said Donegan.
The savings will be more modest, or non-existent, in states with lesser price declines. Many localities will raise rates enough to offset lower assessments, according to Joseph Henchman, the Director of State Projects for the Tax Foundation, a group that studies tax policy.
"The actual [revenue] collections could still rise or stay about the same," he said.
Governments may also raise fees on water, sewage and other services to keep up with looming budget deficits. They could even create entire new taxing entities, known as tax district, to fund fire departments, law enforcement, even libraries.
The local governments must keep revenues up to pay for programs they initiated during more flush times.
"We often see a ratchet effect," said Henchman. "Spending goes up when collections are strong but stay up even when collections go down."
First Published: May 27, 2009: 2:21 PM ET
source: http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/27/real_estate/property_tax_breaks/index.htm?postversion=2009052714 accessed June 2, 2009
Home price declines are causing tax assessors to revalue properties downward. Taxes will follow.
Les Christie, CNNMoney.com staff writer
Last Updated: May 27, 2009: 2:25 PM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Your home value has sunk like a stone, and you're so far underwater you'll have to hold your breath for years. Can you at least get a break on your property taxes?
In some cases, yes. Many municipalities' tax bills are due in May, and the tab for 2009 could be lower.
As a rule, city and county assessors reappraise property values annually or biannually, using recent sales of comparable homes in the neighborhood to set values. So in areas that have seen significant drops in home prices, appraisals - and thereby property taxes - could also drop.
"Assessors have been flooded with requests from homeowners to reassess their home values," said Los Angeles County Assessor Rick Auerbach...
... even if tax assessors reduce appraised values to reflect market conditions it still does not automatically mean a property tax cut. Localities could still raise their tax rates, the percentage of the home's value that is used along with the assessed valuation, to calculate the final bills.
"Taxes are based on property values times [the tax rate]. We could have declining values but make up for it by raising the rate," said Bill Donegan, the property appraiser for Orange County, Fla., which includes Orlando.
This year, though, the value drops are so steep that any rate rise will probably not offset the lowered assessments. Plus, governments usually can't just raise rates indiscriminately.
"In most places there's a statuary limit to rate increases," said Ken Wilkinson, the property appraiser for Lee County, Fla., where Cape Coral home values have plunged 44% from their peaks. "In Florida, they can't be raised more than 10%."
That should lead to substantial savings. In Orange County, the average taxpayer paid about 8% less last year, or nearly $130. "They may see a bigger drop this year," said Donegan.
The savings will be more modest, or non-existent, in states with lesser price declines. Many localities will raise rates enough to offset lower assessments, according to Joseph Henchman, the Director of State Projects for the Tax Foundation, a group that studies tax policy.
"The actual [revenue] collections could still rise or stay about the same," he said.
Governments may also raise fees on water, sewage and other services to keep up with looming budget deficits. They could even create entire new taxing entities, known as tax district, to fund fire departments, law enforcement, even libraries.
The local governments must keep revenues up to pay for programs they initiated during more flush times.
"We often see a ratchet effect," said Henchman. "Spending goes up when collections are strong but stay up even when collections go down."
First Published: May 27, 2009: 2:21 PM ET
source: http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/27/real_estate/property_tax_breaks/index.htm?postversion=2009052714 accessed June 2, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Local Foreclosures Declining
Pioneer Valley foreclosures reported down so far this year
source: The Republican Newsroom
Thursday May 07, 2009, 6:51 PM
Associated Press, accessed: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/pioneer_valley_foreclosures_re.html?category=Business+category=Franklin%20County+category=Springfield May 7, 2009, 9:35 p.m.
By JIM KINNEY jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD - Lenders are foreclosing on fewer Pioneer Valley homes this year, compared to a record-setting number of foreclosures in 2008. The number of foreclosure deeds, typically the final step in the foreclosure process, fell 3.27 percent in Hampden County for the first quarter of 2009. There were 237 foreclosure deeds filed in the first three months of this year. That was down from the 245 foreclosure deeds filed in the first quarter of 2008. The number of auction notices, an earlier step in the process, filed in the county fell 60.17 percent from 575 to 229. The Warren Group, a Boston-based provider of real-estate information and publisher of Banker & Tradesman newspaper, released figures Thursday based on information collected from registers of deeds around the state. In Springfield, the number of foreclosure deeds were unchanged at 154 for the first quarter of both years. But the number of auction notices fell 55.2 percent from 369 in the first quarter of 2008 to 165 this year. Lawyer Eugene B. Berman, chairman of the Hampden County Bar Association Foreclosure Prevention Task Force, said while the declines are good news, that doesn't mean that the foreclosure crisis is over. The county had 1,040 completed mortgage foreclosures, up 41.7 percent compared with the 734 foreclosures in 2007. The previous record of 818 was set in 1997.
"Yes, there is a bit of an abatement," Berman said. "But the totality is overwhelming." He said lenders held off on foreclosures early this year as they waited for the Obama administration to come up with a foreclosure-prevention plan. Now, some homeowners are taking advantage of that plan and refinancing their loans, Berman said. Also, lenders are holding off on taking homes simply because the lenders know they won't be able to sell them again... In Hampshire County, the number of foreclosure deeds fell 29.03 percent from 31 in the first quarter of 2008 to 22 in the first quarter of this year. Auction notices went from 12 in the first quarter of 2008 to none in the first quarter of this year... Berman said the Bar Association has a hotline, (413) 322-7404, that people can call if they fear foreclosure.
source: The Republican Newsroom
Thursday May 07, 2009, 6:51 PM
Associated Press, accessed: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/pioneer_valley_foreclosures_re.html?category=Business+category=Franklin%20County+category=Springfield May 7, 2009, 9:35 p.m.
By JIM KINNEY jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD - Lenders are foreclosing on fewer Pioneer Valley homes this year, compared to a record-setting number of foreclosures in 2008. The number of foreclosure deeds, typically the final step in the foreclosure process, fell 3.27 percent in Hampden County for the first quarter of 2009. There were 237 foreclosure deeds filed in the first three months of this year. That was down from the 245 foreclosure deeds filed in the first quarter of 2008. The number of auction notices, an earlier step in the process, filed in the county fell 60.17 percent from 575 to 229. The Warren Group, a Boston-based provider of real-estate information and publisher of Banker & Tradesman newspaper, released figures Thursday based on information collected from registers of deeds around the state. In Springfield, the number of foreclosure deeds were unchanged at 154 for the first quarter of both years. But the number of auction notices fell 55.2 percent from 369 in the first quarter of 2008 to 165 this year. Lawyer Eugene B. Berman, chairman of the Hampden County Bar Association Foreclosure Prevention Task Force, said while the declines are good news, that doesn't mean that the foreclosure crisis is over. The county had 1,040 completed mortgage foreclosures, up 41.7 percent compared with the 734 foreclosures in 2007. The previous record of 818 was set in 1997.
"Yes, there is a bit of an abatement," Berman said. "But the totality is overwhelming." He said lenders held off on foreclosures early this year as they waited for the Obama administration to come up with a foreclosure-prevention plan. Now, some homeowners are taking advantage of that plan and refinancing their loans, Berman said. Also, lenders are holding off on taking homes simply because the lenders know they won't be able to sell them again... In Hampshire County, the number of foreclosure deeds fell 29.03 percent from 31 in the first quarter of 2008 to 22 in the first quarter of this year. Auction notices went from 12 in the first quarter of 2008 to none in the first quarter of this year... Berman said the Bar Association has a hotline, (413) 322-7404, that people can call if they fear foreclosure.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Optimism on the Home Front
Western Massachusetts real estate agents see glimmers of hope on the horizon
by The Republican Newsroom
Wednesday April 29, 2009, 6:00 PM
By HOLLY ANGELO hangelo@repub.com Home sales and prices are still down from this time last year, but there are glimmers of hope in the local housing market. Both The Warren Group and Massachusetts Association of Realtors released reports on Wednesday. Single-family median home prices in the state fell 18.2 percent during the first quarter of 2009, compared to the same period in 2008, while sales dropped nearly 11 percent, according to The Warren Group. Locally, the news is better. Home sales in the Pioneer Valley were up 4.3 percent from March 2008 to 2009, according to the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley.
"There are some promising signs," said Kevin M. Sears... the president-elect of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. "When the prices come down it makes properties more affordable. You have more folks getting into the market and lower interest rates." Sears said unlike the larger banks, local banks are lending and there is credit out there. "The market is returning a little bit back to normal," he said...
In the state, the median price for homes in the first quarter of 2009 fell to $253,500 from $310,000 in the first quarter of 2008, according to The Warren Group. Sales of single-family homes dropped nearly 11 percent to 6,160 from 6,912 a year ago. In Hampden County, March home sales were actually up 9.31 percent from last March, from 204 sales to 223 sales, although prices in that time period decreased by 11.43 percent, from $175,000 to $155,000. In Hampshire County, March sales decreased by 30.36 percent over the past year and prices decreased by 10.16 percent. Franklin County sales decreased by 14.71 percent, but prices actually increased by 4.91 percent. Statewide, single-family median home prices fell below $300,000 for the seventh consecutive month, according to Timothy Warren Jr., chief executive officer of The Warren Group. The Warren Group is a Boston-based publisher of real estate and related data.
source: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/western_massachusetts_real_est.html?category=Business&category=Franklin%20County&category=Springfield accessed 5/6/09 7:43a.m.
by The Republican Newsroom
Wednesday April 29, 2009, 6:00 PM
By HOLLY ANGELO hangelo@repub.com Home sales and prices are still down from this time last year, but there are glimmers of hope in the local housing market. Both The Warren Group and Massachusetts Association of Realtors released reports on Wednesday. Single-family median home prices in the state fell 18.2 percent during the first quarter of 2009, compared to the same period in 2008, while sales dropped nearly 11 percent, according to The Warren Group. Locally, the news is better. Home sales in the Pioneer Valley were up 4.3 percent from March 2008 to 2009, according to the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley.
"There are some promising signs," said Kevin M. Sears... the president-elect of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. "When the prices come down it makes properties more affordable. You have more folks getting into the market and lower interest rates." Sears said unlike the larger banks, local banks are lending and there is credit out there. "The market is returning a little bit back to normal," he said...
In the state, the median price for homes in the first quarter of 2009 fell to $253,500 from $310,000 in the first quarter of 2008, according to The Warren Group. Sales of single-family homes dropped nearly 11 percent to 6,160 from 6,912 a year ago. In Hampden County, March home sales were actually up 9.31 percent from last March, from 204 sales to 223 sales, although prices in that time period decreased by 11.43 percent, from $175,000 to $155,000. In Hampshire County, March sales decreased by 30.36 percent over the past year and prices decreased by 10.16 percent. Franklin County sales decreased by 14.71 percent, but prices actually increased by 4.91 percent. Statewide, single-family median home prices fell below $300,000 for the seventh consecutive month, according to Timothy Warren Jr., chief executive officer of The Warren Group. The Warren Group is a Boston-based publisher of real estate and related data.
source: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/western_massachusetts_real_est.html?category=Business&category=Franklin%20County&category=Springfield accessed 5/6/09 7:43a.m.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Spring (Exterior) Cleaning
by Matt Gallo
When the gray, cold days of winter are finally gone, it's time to give your home a thorough spring cleaning. Although most homeowners tackle the inside of their house, few remember that the outside needs a freshen-up as well! Wash away the grime of winter with window washing, gutter cleaning & pressure washing. You'll be amazed at how bright and clean your home looks.
Window Washing
After the rain, snow, and ice of winter, it's no wonder your windows are dingy and spotted! Eliminate the dirty film of winter and let the cheerful light of spring pour through...it's time to call the window washers...Window washing should include cleaning all windows inside and out as well as any storm windows or screens. Many window washers also offer interior glass washing services for chandeliers, mirrors, lamps, and ceiling fans...
Gutter Cleaning
Gutter cleaning is a maintenance task most homeowners dread, and subsequently neglect...but for gutters to effectively channel rainwater away from your house and foundation, they need to be unclogged and flowing freely... Perhaps the best way to get your gutters clean is to hire a professional gutter cleaning service...They'll remove leaves, twigs, and any built-up debris; flush out your gutters; and ensure that downspouts are working properly. Many gutter contractors can even repair gutters that have been damaged over the winter! Once your gutters are clean and repaired...they'll protect your home from excess rainwater.
Pressure Washing
Winter wreaks havoc on the appearance of your home: storms splash mud on your siding; excessive moisture encourages algae growth on your brick; salt can stain your driveway... Perfect for removing a whole variety of eyesores from mud to dirt, mildew, and mold, power washing can get the exterior of your home looking great again. For optimal results...hire a professional power washing contractor. They'll be able to get practically any part of your home's exterior sparkling clean again without making amateur mistakes like damaging mortar or gouging wood. Contact a power washing contractor to freshen:
Siding / Brick / Stone
Patios / Decks / Roofs
Sidewalks / Driveways / Concrete
...Window washing, gutter cleaning & pressure washing are 3 relatively inexpensive projects that can really help your home look great!...
Matt Gallo is a home improvement specialist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius...
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Gallo
When the gray, cold days of winter are finally gone, it's time to give your home a thorough spring cleaning. Although most homeowners tackle the inside of their house, few remember that the outside needs a freshen-up as well! Wash away the grime of winter with window washing, gutter cleaning & pressure washing. You'll be amazed at how bright and clean your home looks.
Window Washing
After the rain, snow, and ice of winter, it's no wonder your windows are dingy and spotted! Eliminate the dirty film of winter and let the cheerful light of spring pour through...it's time to call the window washers...Window washing should include cleaning all windows inside and out as well as any storm windows or screens. Many window washers also offer interior glass washing services for chandeliers, mirrors, lamps, and ceiling fans...
Gutter Cleaning
Gutter cleaning is a maintenance task most homeowners dread, and subsequently neglect...but for gutters to effectively channel rainwater away from your house and foundation, they need to be unclogged and flowing freely... Perhaps the best way to get your gutters clean is to hire a professional gutter cleaning service...They'll remove leaves, twigs, and any built-up debris; flush out your gutters; and ensure that downspouts are working properly. Many gutter contractors can even repair gutters that have been damaged over the winter! Once your gutters are clean and repaired...they'll protect your home from excess rainwater.
Pressure Washing
Winter wreaks havoc on the appearance of your home: storms splash mud on your siding; excessive moisture encourages algae growth on your brick; salt can stain your driveway... Perfect for removing a whole variety of eyesores from mud to dirt, mildew, and mold, power washing can get the exterior of your home looking great again. For optimal results...hire a professional power washing contractor. They'll be able to get practically any part of your home's exterior sparkling clean again without making amateur mistakes like damaging mortar or gouging wood. Contact a power washing contractor to freshen:
Siding / Brick / Stone
Patios / Decks / Roofs
Sidewalks / Driveways / Concrete
...Window washing, gutter cleaning & pressure washing are 3 relatively inexpensive projects that can really help your home look great!...
Matt Gallo is a home improvement specialist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius...
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Gallo
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Looking for a springtime hobby?
Vegetable Gardening
Vegetable gardening involves the production of produce on either a large scale or small. This is becoming a very popular backyard hobby in many areas where soil and weather cooperate for growing.
Types of vegetable gardening
Vegetable gardening can take on a number of different grow styles. For the home-based gardener, these are the most typical forms:
Basic backyard growing – For people with enough land to stake out a sizeable plot, this type of vegetable gardening will resemble larger-scale productions. A garden might involve multiple crops and rows of plantings.
Container – This type of vegetable gardening is popular among apartment dwellers that cannot grow crops in the ground. It involves the use of special buckets or containers that can be moved in and out of the sun.
Organic – In this type of vegetable gardening, no chemicals or pesticides are used.
Getting started with vegetable gardening
Exact advice for vegetable gardening hinges on the geographical region, season and crops involved. To increase the chances for success with vegetable gardening make sure to:
Select the right time to plant – Make sure to look at a localized growers’ guide for advice on when to plant certain crops.
Properly prepare the earth – Both plot and container-based crops will require proper preparation. Make sure soil is rich in the nutrients needed by a specific plant and also remove all weeds and other obstructions. Aerating the soil is also important.
source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/vegetable-gardening , accessed April 19, 2009 9:15p.m.
Happy Gardening
Vegetable gardening involves the production of produce on either a large scale or small. This is becoming a very popular backyard hobby in many areas where soil and weather cooperate for growing.
Types of vegetable gardening
Vegetable gardening can take on a number of different grow styles. For the home-based gardener, these are the most typical forms:
Basic backyard growing – For people with enough land to stake out a sizeable plot, this type of vegetable gardening will resemble larger-scale productions. A garden might involve multiple crops and rows of plantings.
Container – This type of vegetable gardening is popular among apartment dwellers that cannot grow crops in the ground. It involves the use of special buckets or containers that can be moved in and out of the sun.
Organic – In this type of vegetable gardening, no chemicals or pesticides are used.
Getting started with vegetable gardening
Exact advice for vegetable gardening hinges on the geographical region, season and crops involved. To increase the chances for success with vegetable gardening make sure to:
Select the right time to plant – Make sure to look at a localized growers’ guide for advice on when to plant certain crops.
Properly prepare the earth – Both plot and container-based crops will require proper preparation. Make sure soil is rich in the nutrients needed by a specific plant and also remove all weeds and other obstructions. Aerating the soil is also important.
source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/vegetable-gardening , accessed April 19, 2009 9:15p.m.
Happy Gardening
Grilled Flank Steak Crostini
Grilled Flank Steak Crostini with Mustard Greens
Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello
Cook Time
15 min
Level
Easy
Yield
4 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
1 flank steak
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 3 cloves)
12 cups greens, such as mustard, chard or spinach, washed
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Hot sauce, optional
1 baguette, sliced on the bias into long thin slices
Directions
Bring the flank steak to room temperature.
Prepare an outdoor grill or preheat a stovetop grill pan.
Season both sides of the steak with salt and freshly ground pepper. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil on 1 side of the meat and lightly rub it in.
Sprinkle half of the oregano on top and place the steak on the grill, herb side up.
Grill on 1 side for about 5 minutes or until the juices of the meat come to the surface of the steak. Turn the steak once and continue cooking for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until done to your taste. Let rest for a few minutes.
Meanwhile: In a large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil until hot. Add the garlic and saute about 1 minute, or until light brown. Add the greens and toss occasionally.
After about 3 minutes, the greens will have cooked down. Season with a large pinch of salt and a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper. Cook another 3 minutes. Splash greens with 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar and hot sauce, to taste, if using. Transfer the greens to a plate.
For the crostini: Brush both sides of the bread slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the slices on the grill or grill pan and cook until crispy, about 1 minute on each side.
Cut the flank steak across the grain in 1/4-inch slices. Place a slice of steak on top of each crostini, top each with the greens and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and hot sauce, as desired. Can be served warm or at room temperature.
source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/grilled-flank-steak-crostini-with-mustard-greens-recipe/index.html foodnetwork.com, April 19, 2009 8:51p.m.
Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello
Cook Time
15 min
Level
Easy
Yield
4 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
1 flank steak
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 3 cloves)
12 cups greens, such as mustard, chard or spinach, washed
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Hot sauce, optional
1 baguette, sliced on the bias into long thin slices
Directions
Bring the flank steak to room temperature.
Prepare an outdoor grill or preheat a stovetop grill pan.
Season both sides of the steak with salt and freshly ground pepper. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil on 1 side of the meat and lightly rub it in.
Sprinkle half of the oregano on top and place the steak on the grill, herb side up.
Grill on 1 side for about 5 minutes or until the juices of the meat come to the surface of the steak. Turn the steak once and continue cooking for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until done to your taste. Let rest for a few minutes.
Meanwhile: In a large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil until hot. Add the garlic and saute about 1 minute, or until light brown. Add the greens and toss occasionally.
After about 3 minutes, the greens will have cooked down. Season with a large pinch of salt and a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper. Cook another 3 minutes. Splash greens with 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar and hot sauce, to taste, if using. Transfer the greens to a plate.
For the crostini: Brush both sides of the bread slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the slices on the grill or grill pan and cook until crispy, about 1 minute on each side.
Cut the flank steak across the grain in 1/4-inch slices. Place a slice of steak on top of each crostini, top each with the greens and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and hot sauce, as desired. Can be served warm or at room temperature.
source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/grilled-flank-steak-crostini-with-mustard-greens-recipe/index.html foodnetwork.com, April 19, 2009 8:51p.m.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)