Flank Steak

So I have been trying really hard all summer to be creative in the kitchen.  For the first two years of being married, I feel like I made the same things.  It was like I was on a cycle with what I made... how BORING!  So I started following http://www.iowagirleats.com/ for recipe ideas.  On top of that I google search for ideas.  OH!  And my new obsession... http://www.pinterest.com/   So far it's been a successful summer in the kitchen :) 

Yesterday I decided to text Chris and make him pick the meat I made... he picked Steak.  Which surprises me because he's been trying to stick to white meat all summer.  It was a nice change.  So I started searching for marinades.  Here's what I made and I definitely recommend it:

Flank Steak Marinade

1/2 Cup Soy Sauce 

2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar

2 Cloves Garlic

1 Tbsp. Minced Onion
Some pepper

I marinated it for 3 hours, then took it out of the marinade about an hour before we grilled it.  It seemed a little salty at first, so next time I will use low-sodium soy sauce.  But I used what I had in the kitchen :)  It was delicious and Chris probably could've eaten the whole thing.  I made it with some plain noodles w/ Parmesan cheese, and my summer favorite SWEAT CORN!!!

I experimented twice last week with things I have never made and was not as successfully unfortunately... Chris liked what I made, but I didn't.  But that's the fun part of cooking, right?

My first experimentation was Baked Quinoa because I have heard such good things about Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-WA). It is a great great with tons of protein-- just what I need being hungry ALL the time.  Well, I made it, and I just didn't like the flavor.  I'm not sure what I didn't like about the flavor, and I'm not sure what I need to change.  So if anyone has suggestions please share :) 

My other experiment was black bean burgers... I'm not even going to talk about how I made them because they were not good!  I decided to make them without a recipe, which taught me that I need to stick with recipes.  I'm not creative enough to make up my own recipes :)

I have had fun this summer making new recipes, as well as my old favorites.  Please share good recipes with me!!!  I'm sure I will have more to come, because I have found a BUNCH of recipes on Pinterest that I want to make.