Let's Start a Food Revolution!

"Hungry men think the cook lazy."

-Anonymous

So think about this. When was the last time you went out to eat? What did you order? How much did you pay? Now ponder this: could you have made it yourself?

The sad truth is that most of us go out to eat because it's more convenient than doing the cooking ourselves, and then we end up paying an embarrassing amount of money for something pretty simple. CNNMoney.com reported in 2005 that an average meal in New York City runs $37.61! And San Francisco clocked in at a close second- $35.52! This point hit me pretty hard when I ordered a Buffalo Chicken Wrap from TGI Friday's a few weeks ago and ultimately paid $10 for what could have been a $3 meal.

Well enough is enough! I, for one, am sick of getting ripped off every time I eat out. So in honor of all of you readers who are smart enough to stay in and take the time to cook, here's an easy but delicious recipe.

Bon appetit!

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Black and Bleu Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• lettuce leaves (4-6 large leaves will do)
• 1 lb beef rounds
• 2 1/2 tbsp cajun seasoning
• 1 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1 green bell pepper, julienned
• 1 small red onion, julienned
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp bleu cheese, crumbled (or more if you really like bleu cheese!)

Directions:

1. Julienne vegetables and saute in olive oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes or until tender and onions clear. Remove from heat and cool.
2. Wash and separate lettuce leaves. Store in an airtight container and cool as well.
3. Place rounds in a plastic bag and add cajun seasoning. Seal bag and tenderize meat liberally, making sure to cover the meat with the seasoning as you do so.
4. Pan sear the rounds to desired doneness. Karl and I seared the rounds over a high heat for a couple of minutes on each side (flipping as little as possible). Remove rounds from heat and cut into thing slices (cutting against the grain).
5. In each lettuce leaf, place a serving of sauteed vegetables, a few slices of beef, and some bleu cheese. Serve with bleu cheese dressing to dip!