Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Last Supper



What will be your final dinner of 2010?  No matter how eager you are to say goodbye, please don't do it with cheese, crackers and a cheap bottle of champagne.  Pay your final respects to the year (and protect yourself from a hangover) with a hearty meal before you pop the champers.  I promise you'll be in heaven ushering in 2011.


I make this meal at home all of the time.  It may seem rich, but I never feel weighed down afterward.  The secret is the boiled spinach!  If you want a more decadent version, saute the spinach with a bit of olive oil and shallots.

New Year's Eve Menu


Filet Mignon with Cracked Peppercorns
Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
Flash Boiled Spinach 


What you will need for two servings:
  • Two 4-6oz cuts of filet mignon - Trader Joe's sells them in pairs
  • 4 russet potatoes
  • 6 cups of spinach - fill up a plastic bag at the market or buy a ready to serve bag
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • red wine
  • garlic powder
  • Lawry's seasoning salt
  • whole peppercorns
  • salt
  • 1tbs butter
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • paprika
  • A loaf of crusty bread if you love your carbs like me


1. Marinate the steaks in the dish they came in or a bowl.  Sprinkle 2 tbs of Worcestershire sauce, 2tbs of red wine, 1tsp garlic powder and 1tsp Lawry's seasoning salt over the steaks.  Place 2 tbs of whole peppercorns onto a cutting board, crush with the underside of a skillet and sprinkle half the pepper on the steaks. Save the rest of the pepper for later, when we'll pepper the other side.


2. While your meat is marinating, peel and quarter the potatoes, throw them in a pot, cover with water and 1tbs salt.  They'll cook in about 15 minutes.




3.  While your potatoes are boiling, heat a skillet over medium heat.  Add 1tbs of olive oil.  Saute meat with peppercorn side down for 4-5 minutes.  While it's cooking, you'll repeat what you did for your marinade on the other side.  Sprinkle 2 tbs of Worcestershire sauce, 2tbs of red wine, 1tsp garlic powder, 1tsp Lawry's seasoning salt over the steaks and finish with the rest of the crushed peppercorns.  Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes.


4. Turn on your broiler.  Heat a big pot of water for your spinach.


5. Place the steaks on a cooking sheet, broil for 3-4 minutes.




6. Take out steaks, cover with foil and let them rest.


7.  Check your potatoes.  If they are soft, (feathering at the edges and fall apart when pierced with a fork) drain all of the water, mash with a potato masher in the pot, then add 1tbs butter.  Mash the butter until it's melted, then add 1/4 cup of milk, 1/4 cup sour cream and 1tsp salt.  Mash and whip together.  Taste the potatoes and if it tastes a bit bland, add sour cream by the dollop and salt sparingly to taste.   Trust your tastebuds! :)  Cover your potatoes and get ready to cook the spinach.




7. When your pot of water is boiling, add all of the spinach (it will cook down) and boil for two minutes, then pour through a colander to remove the water. 


8. Now it's time to plate your dish!

Dollop a hearty amount of potatoes onto your plate. Sprinkle with pepper and paprika.
Make sure your spinach isn't dripping water, or squeeze it out with your slotted spoon, then place on your plate.  A sprinkle of salt and pepper will bring out the natural flavors.
Place your beautiful steaks on the plate and enjoy with a glass of your favorite red wine!


Do you like my shelf of mashed potatoes?  I love scooping them up with crusty bread.  Talk about carb overload.  Heavenly!

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