From the 'Burg to Your Kitchen

Isn’t it funny how recipes or food around a table can just bring back memories for some? For me, eating with and enjoying the company of the people I love – those memories always stay.

Two months ago, a family friend, Mason Weidig, was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. My mom and I were reminiscing about Mason and how he always called her “Tootie” and I was thinking about Mason, as I usually do daily now since his death.

For those of you who were not blessed to know Mason, he was something special. He was charming and funny, and you always left with a smile on your face after you were done chatting with him. He was one of a kind, and so greatly missed by all who were blessed to get to know Mason in his short life.

I hope that someday, all of you, have a special Mason in your life – someone who makes you feel just as food does sometimes – warm, welcoming, and full of love and laughter.

Following is a recipe I’m sure Mason would enjoy.

Stuffed Round Steak

Ingredients:

2 lbs. beef top sirloin steaks – flattened to ¼ in’ thickness.

4 bacon strips, diced and cooked

1 medium onion, chopped

1 ½ cups unseasoned stuffing cubes

2 tbsp. parsley

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. celery salt

¼ tsp. sage

¼ tsp. pepper

1 cup beef broth

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

4 ½ tsp. cornstarch

2 tbsp. cold water

Directions:

Flatten steaks, and cook bacon, reserving the pan drippings. Sauté onions in the drippings – then add the croutons, seasonings and bacon. Spread over each steak, and roll up jelly-roll style – tie with kitchen string. Place in a 13x9 baking dish, pour broth over steaks. Cover and bake at 325 degrees for one hour. Drizzle with tomato sauce, bake again for 45 minutes or until the steak is tender.

Remove meat to a serving platter and keep warm. Pour drippings into a measuring cup. In a saucepan, combine cornstarch and water until smooth and then gradually stir in drippings – bring to a boil, and cook for two minutes, stirring constantly until thickened – serve with the steak.