Grilled Rib Eye Steaks with Shallot-Thyme Butter

Steak
2 rib-eye steaks, 6-8 ounces each
2 tablespoons coarsely ground peppercorns
1 tablespoon coarse sea salt

Shallot-Thyme Butter
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, minced
5 chive leaves, minced
1 small shallot or half of a large shallot, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

Prepare the butter: Mash the butter with a fork, integrating all the remaining butter ingredients. Add 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.

Prepare an outdoor gas or charcoal grill and oil the grill grates. (You can also use a grill pan to cook the steak. Oil the grill pan after it gets very hot.)

Season the steaks with the peppercorns and salt. Press the mixture into the steaks.

When the fire is ready or the grill pan is very hot, grill the steaks for about 3 minutes per side for rare, and about a minute or two longer for medium-rare to medium.

Remove the steaks to a serving platter and place 2 tablespoons of the butter on each steak. Let rest 5 minutes and serve.

Creamed Spinach

Ingredients

4 cups chopped fresh spinach leaves
1 garlic clove, minced
1 small onion finely chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons cream cheese
2 tablespoons heavy cream
Salt and pepper

Directions

Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the oil and butter, and stir it around so it melts. Saute the onion and garlic until soft, about 5 minutes.

Add the spinach in batches, pushing it down with a wooden spoon to help it wilt. Keep adding more spinach when there is room in the pot.

Cook the spinach until it is wilted, then lower the heat and add the cream and cream cheese.

Stir and cook for about 5 minutes until the cheese is dissolved throughout the spinach. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

Oven-Baked Onion Rings

4 servings

Ingredients

1 large sweet onion – ends trimmed off, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices
2 eggs
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
3 cups panko breadcrumbs, or more if needed
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus extra for sprinkling
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Olive oil cooking spray

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Separate the onion slices into individual rings. Place the onion rings in a bowl of ice-cold water before coating.

Whisk eggs with cream in a bowl until thoroughly combined; season egg mixture with a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Place flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Place panko crumbs in a separate bowl.

Place the onion rings on paper towels to remove extra moisture from the soaking.

Work with one or two onion slices at a time, place them into the bag of flour mix.

Seal the bag and shake until the onion rings are well coated with flour.

Place flour-coated onion rings into the egg mixture, a few at a time, and toss lightly with tongs until coated.

Place rings into panko crumbs and gently shake the bowl to toss the crumbs with the onion rings until rings are coated with crumbs.

Transfer coated onion rings to a large baking sheet; spray rings lightly with cooking spray.

Bake in the preheated oven until the onion rings are tender and crumbs are lightly golden brown, about 15 minutes.