2 servings
Ingredients
12 oz boneless ribeye steak or tour favorite steak
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon butter
3 cups romaine lettuce
1/ 2 cup diced tomatoes
½ cup thinly sliced cucumber
¼ cup thinly sliced radish
¼ cup diced red onion
1/3 medium avocado, sliced or diced
1/2 cup blue cheese
Ranch Dressing
Directions
Dry the steak with paper towels. Heat a medium skillet until very hot. Add the steak and cook without moving for three minutes. Turn the steak over and season both sides with salt and pepper. Top with the butter,
Cook the steak until it reaches an internal temperature of 120 to 125°F (49 to 52ºC) for medium-rare, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Transfer the steak to a cutting board and rest for 10 minutes. Slice the steak into ¼-inch thick pieces. Cut smaller if desired.
Arrange all the salad ingredients, except the avocado, in two large individual salad bowls. Top with the sliced steak and sliced avocados. Serve with ranch dressing and warm dinner rolls.
Pan-Seared steak
Ingredients
2 center-cut beef tenderloin steaks {filet mignin}, about 5-6 oz each
Sea Salt and Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
Pound the steaks in plastic wrap until they are an even ½=inch thickness. Season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Heat a nonstick medium skillet unit, very hot, about 5 minutes. Place the steaks in the pan, lower the heat to medium. Cook 3 minutes without moving the steaks. Turn them over, place one tablespoon of butter on each steak and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more.
Twice Baked Potatoes
2 servings
Ingredients
1 large russet potato, 12 ounces
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 slice bacon cooked and crumbled
2 tablespoons chopped chives
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prick the potatoes all over with a fork. Brush lightly with the oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast on a sheet tray covered with foil until tender, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
While still hot, cut the potato in half lengthwise and scoop the potato flesh into a medium bowl, leaving a 1/4-inch shell all around on the potato shell. Season the insides of the potato shell lightly with salt and pepper.
To the bowl with the potato flesh, add the sour cream and butter. Use an electric hand mixer or potato masher and mix until almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mound into the potato shells and bake for 15 minutes, then turn on the broiler to high and brown the tops of the potatoes,t. Sprinkle with bacon and chives.
Spinach Salad
2 servings
Ingredients
6 cups fresh baby7 spinach leaves, washed and spinner dried
½ cup diced red onion
2 radishes, sliced thin
½ cup dried cherries
½ cup crumbled blue cheese
½ cup toasted sliced almonds
Italian vinaigrette
Directions
Combine the salad ingredients in a medium bowl and toss until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Add enough of your favorite dressing to lightly coat the spinach leaves. Divide into two salad dishes and serve with the steak.
Steaks Au PoivRE
I SERVED BAKED POTATO AND GREEN BEANS WITH THE STEAK.
Ingredients
2 beef tenderloin steaks, 6 oz each
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 tablespoon black peppercorn
1 1/2 tablespoons green peppercorns
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 small shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
1/4 cup red wine
1 tablespoon heavy cream
Directions
Place the peppercorns in a plastic bag and coarsely crush the peppercorns with a mallet
Pat the filets dry with paper towels. Place the steaks between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound to an even ½- inch thick.
Sprinkle the filets with salt and then press the crushed pepper evenly on both sides. Allow resting at room temperature for 15 minutes.
Heat 1 tablespoon butter and the oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high.. Place the steaks in the pan and lower the heat to medium. Saute the steaks for 4 minutes on 1 side and then for 3 minutes on the other side, for medium-rare. Remove the steaks to a serving platter and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the saute pan. Add the shallots and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the wine and stir. Add the cream and stir. Return the steaks to the pan and the pan and coat the steaks in the sauce.
Beef Stroganoff
Serve with a salad.
Ingredients
1 pound beef tenderloin fillet tips
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter,
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 small onion, sliced
4 oz sliced mushrooms
2 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon prepared Dijon mustard
1/2 cup sour cream
5-6 oz egg noodles, cooked to package directions
Chopped parsley leaves, garnish
Directions
Cook the noodles, drain, and reserve.
Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion to pan; sauté 2 minutes or until tender. Add beef and flour mixture to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until beef is browned. Gradually add broth, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add mushrooms; cover and cook for 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender.
Reduce heat to low; gradually stir in sour cream mixture. Cook, uncovered, 1 minute or until heated (do not boil). Stir in parsley, if desired. Serve over the egg noodles.
Meatloaf
Ingredients
1 celery stalk chopped fine
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1cup finely chopped bell pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup low sugar ketchup
2 pounds of lean ground round
1 cup Italian bread crumbs
2 large eggs, beaten slightly
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine the meat, eggs, vegetables, bread crumbs, ketchup, seasonings, and parsley. Form into a loaf and put into an oiled rectangular baking pan with inch-high sides.
Bake the meatloaf in the oven for 1 hour. Let rest 10 minutes before cutting into serving pieces.
Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
Salt
3 ½ lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ to ⅓ cup heavy cream
Directions
Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water until very soft, about 20-25 minutes. Drain the potatoes and put them into a ricer and press the potatoes back into the cooking pot. Add the butter and just enough cream to moisten. Taste for salt and warm the potatoes.
Sauteed Kale
Ingredients
1 bunch kale
Salt and pepper to taste
3 garlic cloves, sliced in half
¼ cup olive oil
Directions
Remove the kale leaves from the stalks. Chop into small pieces. Wash well and dry in a salad spinner.
Heat the garlic and oil in a deep skillet. Add the kale, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook the kale over low heat until soft, about 30 to 40 minutes.
While this post is about dinner for two, I am posting my traditional meatball recipe because when I make the entire recipe. That way I can freeze them in small batches for the future. Add a Garden Salad to round out the menu.
Italian Meatballs
Makes 18 to 20 meatballs. Make the meatball mixture early in the day.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground veal
1 pound ground pork
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 eggs
1 cup freshly grated parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
3 tablespoons chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
3cups stale Italian bread, crumbled
1 ½ cups lukewarm water
Olive oil
Directions
Combine beef, veal, and pork in a large bowl. Add garlic, eggs, cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Blend bread crumbs into the meat mixture. Slowly add the water 1/2 cup at a time. The mixture should be very moist but still, hold its shape. Refrigerate for several hours.
Shape the meat mixture into 3-inch balls.
Heat enough olive oil to cover the bottom of a large skillet. Fry meatballs in batches.
When the meatball is very brown and slightly crisp, remove it from the heat and drain on a paper towel. (If your mixture is too wet, cover the meatballs while they are cooking so that they hold their shape better.)
For dinner for two;
Place a ladle of sauce in a small baking dish. Place 4 meatballs in the dish. Cover with sauce. Cover the dish and bake in the oven with the ravioli.
Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
2 large cloves of garlic
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup tomato paste
¼ cup of chopped fresh basil leaves
½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper (optional)
Two 26 oz containers can of finely chopped Italian tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and stir until well mixed. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook partially covered for 1 hour.
Ravioli Bake
I love that ravioli; i can be cooked this. No more breaking apart in boiling water. If you double the recipe use two baking dishes that can go into the dishwasher. The ravioli need to be in a single layer to cook properly.
Ingredients
2 cups marinara sauce
Half a package of frozen cheese-filled ravioli (25 to 27 1/2 ounces)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Defrost the ravioli on a plate in a single layer covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight.
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray bottom and sides of rectangular baking dish 13x9x2-inches, with cooking spray.
Spread 1 cup of the pasta sauce in a baking dish. Arrange the ravioli in a single layer over the sauce; top with half of the remaining pasta sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil; bake uncovered 15 minutes longer or until bubbly and hot in center.
Make my Chili recipe and serve it for dinner with a salad and chips. Save 1 cup of the chili to make the chili stuffed peppers another night.
4 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium bell peppers, washed, seeded, and sliced in half
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 cups leftover chili
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with foil, and spread olive oil over foil
Sprinkle the insides of the peppers with sea salt, and place cut side up on the baking sheet. I like to rub a little of the olive oil on the bottoms and cut the sides of the peppers.
Spoon chili into the peppers, and bake for 25 minutes.
Top with shredded cheese, and bake for additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and chili is heated through.
Corn with Tomatoes and Herbs
Ingredients
2 cups fresh corn
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups assorted cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Directions
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the corn,, 1 tablespoon water, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Cook until the kernels are tender,3 to 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add the chives, basil, and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter; toss to combine.
Beef Tenderloin Tips
Ingredients
1 lb tenderloin tips
1 teaspoon steak seasoning {Montreal}
½ cup finely diced onion
4 oz can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1-6oz package brown gravy mix
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups water
Directions
Mix the steak tips with the steak seasoning.
Heat a large skillet over medium to high heat. Add the butter and oil. Brown tenderloin tips on one side, turn them over, and add the diced onion. Finish browning the steak.. Add water, Worcestershire sauce, mushrooms, and the gravy mix.. Bring to a boil, while continually stirring. Reduce heat and simmer over low to medium heat until meat is cooked and gravy has thickened about 2-3 minutes.,.
Serve with Baked Potato or Mashed Potatoes.
Peas With Onion
Ingredients
1 medium onion, sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons butter
1 package (16 ounces) frozen peas
3 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions
In a large skillet, saute onion and garlic in butter until tender. Add peas and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 4-5 minutes or until peas are tender. Season with salt and pepper.
You can buy rolls if you choose but homemade really make these sandwiches. Serve the sandwiches with pickles and your favorite sandwich sides.
Italian Sub Rolls
6 rolls
Ingredients
Overnight Starter
3/4 cup (85g) Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup (113g) lukewarm water
1/8 teaspoon instant yeast
Dough
2 teaspoons instant yeast
2/3 cup (152g) lukewarm water
2 3/4 cups (326g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1 1/4 teaspoons (8g) salt
Directions
To make the starter: Mix the starter ingredients in a small bowl, cover, and let rest at room temperature overnight.
To make the dough
Combine the starter and the remainder of the dough ingredients, and mix and knead by hand, or using a stand mixer, to make a smooth dough.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it, and let it rise at room temperature until it’s very puffy, about 90 minutes, turning it over and gently deflating it after 45 minutes.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled work surface. Divide it into six equal pieces.
Roll the pieces into cylinders, 4 1/2″ in length. Flatten the cylinders slightly; dough rises more in the center, so this will give a gently rounded top versus a high top.
Place the loaves on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise until almost doubled, about 45 minutes. While they’re rising, preheat the oven to 425°F.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 190°F.
Remove the rolls from the oven and transfer them to a rack to cool. Store, well-wrapped, at room temperature for several days.
Easy Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches
2 servings
Ingredients
1/2 large onion, thinly sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, grated
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
10 oz shaved deli roast beef
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 sub rolls, split
4 thin slices of Provolone or American or Processed cheese, about 1 ounce each
Directions
In a mixing bowl combine the onion, peppers, garlic, oil, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat evenly.
Spread the vegetables on a stovetop grill pan or large skillet in a single layer. Grill over high heat until they start to brown and are tender, about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a bowl.
Place the beef slices in a medium bowl, add just enough oil to coat them lightly, and season with salt and pepper; toss to coat.
Grill the steak slices on the grill pan over high heat, 1 minute, Turn the beef slices over with a wide spatula and cook for 1 minute
Warm the rolls.
Build the sandwiches with cheese on the bottom, meat, onions, and peppers. Serve warm.
Filet Mignon In Mushroom Sauce
2 servings
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 beef tenderloin steaks 5-6 ounces each)
Fresh thyme sprig
1 clove garlic, cut in half
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms or a 4oz can, drained
1 tablespoon chopped shallot
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
2/3 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions
With a meat mallet flatten the steaks between sheets of plastic wrap to ½ inch thickness.
In a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons butter and oil over medium-high heat; Add the thyme, garlic, and steaks. cook steaks to medium-rare, a thermometer should read 125°F, 4 minutes per side. Remove the steaks from the pan to a plate and cover with foil. Discard the garlic and thyme.
In the same pan, heat drippings and remaining butter over medium-high heat; saute mushrooms and shallot until tender. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper until blended; gradually stir in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Return steaks to the pan and simmer in the sauce for 2 minutes, turning them over after 1 minute.
Oven Roasted Asparagus
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 bunches asparagus
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 garlic clove. chopped
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup Italian seasoned Panko breadcrumbs
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Break off the woody bottoms of the asparagus and wash in cold water.
Arrange trimmed asparagus in a 13 X 9-inch dish. Drizzle with the oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
Top with breadcrumbs and bake for 20 minutes.
Twice-Baked Potatoes
2 servings
Ingredients
1 large russet potato, 12 ounces
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 slice bacon cooked and crumbled
2 tablespoons chopped chives
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prick the potatoes all over with a fork. Brush lightly with the oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast on a sheet tray covered with foil until tender, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
While still hot, slice a thin layer off the top of the potato and scoop the potato flesh into a medium bowl, leaving a 1/4-inch shell all around on the potato shell. Season the insides of the potato shell lightly with salt and pepper.
To the bowl with the potato flesh, add the sour cream and butter. Use an electric hand mixer or potato masher and mix until almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mound into the potato shell and bake for 15-20 minutes until hot. Sprinkle with bacon and chives. Cut in half and serve.
