Phase One

(...in which Doris gets her oats.)

Go turns 30 on Wednesday, April 30th. It is his golden birthday; a golden birthday for a golden boy.

Phase One of Operation 30 begins today with his favorite dinner with our favorite not-too-distant-cousins, the McCulloughs. (The McCulloughs have a "family tree" framed up on their wall. I was sitting in their family room one day and saw it from across the room and for whatever reason thought "There's gotta be some Callisters in there." (my MIL's side) I got up and looked and what do you know? There's Callisters in them-thar trees. Go and Paul are related. Did you just get the chills? I did.)

Grilled Sirloin with Citrus Salsa
Fiesta Black Beans
Rolls (He actually doesn't really LOVE these, but he'll survive.)
Something vegetabley that Camie is insisting she bring because she is silly like that
Instead of a cake - Ultimate Ginger cookies


Grilled Sirloin with Citrus Salsa

Meat marinade:
1.5 lbs. lean boneless top sirloin
1/2 c. soy sauce
2 Tbsp brown sugar
3 Tbsp lime juice
1/8 tsp hot sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c. green onioins, chopped

Citrus Salsa:
2 oranges, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
1/2 tsp grated lime ring
1/2 lemon, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
1/2 lime, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 c. green onions, chopped
1 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp cilantro
1 tsp seeded, minced jalepeno pepper
2 Tbsp orange juice
2 Tbsp rice vinegar

Chill salsa for at least 2 hours. Marinade steak in marinade for at least 2 hours, preferrably longer. Grill steak and serve steak with salsa.


Fiesta Black Beans

16-19 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tsp cumin
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/3 c. tomato juice or water
3/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped