How Ugly Is He?—Cliff's Dinner for David James

I have many favorite episodes, but season one/episode nine (110) is at the top of the list. I decided to make the meet-the-parents dinner that Heathcliff cooked for Denise and her boyfriend, David James.  (David James was played by the very handsome Kristoff St. John.) Even though the dinnertime conversation took a turn for the worse, I'm sure the food was amazing! 

Clair complimenting Cliff's cooking in S1E9 (110).

Below are the recipes that I used to make Cliff's Salisbury Steak, Turnin' Out Turnip Greens, and Red Beans and Rice!

CLIFF'S SALISBURY STEAK, 6 steaks

Steak Ingredients

1 lb of ground beef

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp dill 

1/2 c bread crumbs

1 egg

3/4 of a 10.5 oz can of french onion soup

Gravy Ingredients

a squeeze of bbq sauce (I had an extra packet from Chick-Fil-A)

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp flour

1/4 c water

1/4 of a 10.5 oz can of french onion soup

Toppings

As much sliced mushrooms and onions as you'd like (for sauteing)

Oil for sauteing

Steps

1. Combine beef, cayenne and black peppers, salt, dill, bread crumbs, egg, and french onion soup in a bowl. (You may need to add more breadcrumbs to get a good consistency. The first time I tried to make Salisbury Steak, my steaks fell apart because I didn't add enough.) 

2. Make six oval-shaped balls. Don't make them too flat because you'll flatten then out when they're cooking in the pan. 

3. Turn your burner on medium-high and add a little oil into your pan. 

4. Saute your veggies until the onions become translucent. (It took me about 7 minutes.)

5. After you're done sauteing, remove the veggies and let your steaks brown on both sides. 

6. Combine and mix the ingredients for the gravy. Add the liquid mixture to the pan.

7. Let the steak and gravy cook for 20 minutes on medium heat. 

8. Flip your steaks occasionally. Add your already sauteed veggies to the pan fifteen minutes in to the cooking process. 

9. Remove from heat and serve warm!

RED BEANS AND RICE, 4 servings 

 Ingredients

1/2 lb of red kidney beans

3 cloves of garlic

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp salt (You may want to add more after they're finished cooking.)

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

5 c water 

*Use your favorite rice and cook according to the package. I made enough for four servings. Hello, leftovers! 

Steps

1. Soak red beans in enough water to cover the beans. Let them soak for 6-8 hours (overnight).

2. In a pot, saute your garlic on medium-low for one-ish minute. 

3. Add water, soaked beans, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Mix. 

4. Raise heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. 

5. Lower heat to medium-low and let cook for two hours.

6. Serve over rice.

TURNING OUT TURNIP GREENS, 4 servings

Ingredients

Oil (I used olive)

1-1/2 lbs fresh turnip greens (pre-washed, chopped, stemmed)

1 c water

ground black pepper to taste

salt to taste

Steps

1. Add oil to cooking pot and heat to medium. 

2. Add turnip greens and cook until they have wilted. (It took me about four minutes).

3. Add water, salt, and pepper. 

4. Cook until the water has evaporated. 

5. Serve warm.

Here's my final product!

I think Dr. Huxtable would be proud!