Dishing Sisters

It’s almost Valentines Day…eating in?

How about avoiding the crowds and preparing a great romantic dinner at home? (Or if you’re boycotting Valentines, invite the girls over for dinner!) Personally, I’d take a quiet home cooked meal over going out to noisy restaurants any day!

Here’s a tasty menu that anyone would love!

Caprese Salad – Sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella slices topped with fresh basil leaves. Sprinkle with S&P and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. (I could live off this salad – YUM!)

Steakhouse Filets – So its a special day…splurge a little! (No outside grill needed here, just a cast-iron skillet or a heavy bottomed, oven proof skillet.)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat skillet over high heat on stove for 5-7 minutes.

Pat dry the filet mignons with paper towel. Brush the filets lightly all over with about 2 Tbs of vegetable oil. Mix 2 Tbs of cracked black pepper and 2 Tbs of kosher salt or fleur de sel (if you have it) together on a plate and roll the filets on all sides in the mixture, pressing lightly to help it stick. Steaks should be coated evenly with S&P.

Add the steaks to the VERY hot pan and sear evenly on all sides (top, bottom and sides) for about 2 minutes per side. (Yep it’s gonna get a bit smoky in the kitchen so open a window!)

Once the steaks are seared and crusty remove from heat and arrange the filets flat in the pan. Top each with 1 Tbs of unsalted butter and place in the oven. Cook the filets for 8-12 minutes. (120 degrees for rare and 125 for med-rare.) Remove steaks to a platter and cover with aluminum foil and rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve as is or with crumbled blue cheese on top. TENDER AND TO DIE FOR!! (~Courtesy of Ina Garten/Food Network)

Roasted Asparagus – Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place washed/trimmed asparagus in a shallow baking dish. Drizzle with enough olive oil to coat (1-2 Tbs). Sprinkle with salt and bake for 3-4 minutes. Toss and bake for another 2 minutes.

Of course you could always add your potato of choice. What’s meat with out potato’s??!

Dessert – Well…I’ll leave that up to you! (wink wink!)

Bon appetite!

Posted in For The Carnivores, It's a meal!


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