This recipe has everything going for it: It's fast and easy to make. It can get away with being a Halloween dish, because of the "Bloody Mary" dipping sauce. It's main ingredient is steak. And it calls for a half cup of vodka.

The only downside is it comes from terminally perky and insufferably annoying Food Network star, Rachael Ray. (Who wouldn't be so bad if she would... Just. Stop. Talking.)

If you're having a girl over this weekend, and want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible, throw some of these steak bites together. Add a quick salad, and you're eating in under 20 minutes. And getting on to other things.

For more recipes like this one, go to FoodNetwork.com


Steak Bites with Bloody Mary Dipping Sauce
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup vodka 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
1 cup tomato sauce
1 rounded tablespoon prepared horseradish
Salt and pepper
1 1/3 pounds beef sirloin cut into large bite-sized pieces, 1 by 2 inches
Steak seasoning blend or coarse salt and black pepper
6 to 8 inch bamboo skewers

Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add oil and onions and saute 5 minutes. Add vodka and reduce by 1/2. Add Worcestershire, hot sauce, tomato sauce and horseradish. Stir to combine the dipping sauce and return the sauce to a bubble. Add salt and pepper and adjust seasonings.

Heat nonstick skillet over high heat. Coat meat bites lightly in oil. Season with steak seasoning blend or salt and pepper, to taste. Cook the meat until caramelized all over, about 2 minutes on each side. Transfer dipping sauce to a small dish and place at the center of a serving platter. Surround the dip with meat bites and set several bamboo "stakes" or skewers along side meat.