Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon
Serves 2
Ingredients
2 filet mignons, (5 to 6 ounces each, about 1 1/2 inches thick)
Coarse salt and very coarsely ground pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
Wine Sauce, recipe bel0w
Directions
Season filets very generously on both sides with salt and pepper (especially pepper), patting it firmly.
Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high. Cook filets until desired doneness, 3 to 5 minutes per side (depending on thickness) for medium-rare.
serve with Wine Sauce
Wine Sauce
Ingredients
½ cup sliced mushrooms
1 shallot, minced
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup red wine
2 tablespoons cold salted butter, cut up
Directions
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan and cook the mushrooms and shallots until tender. Remove to a bowl.
Place 1 cup red wine in the same saucepan; boil until reduced to ½ cup, 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove from heat; add the 2 tablespoons cold cut-up butter, and swirl pan until butter is melted and sauce is thickened about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms mixture Derve over Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon.
Twice-Baked Potato
This recipe can be prepared early in the day, refrigerated, and reheated at 400 degrees F. for 20-26 minutes.
2 servings
Ingredients
1 large russet potato (about 10 ounces}
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup sour cream
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prick the potato all over with a fork. Brush lightly with the oil. Roast on a sheet tray until tender, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Cool for about 30 minutes.
While still hot, split the potatoes lengthwise and scoop the potato flesh into a medium bowl, leaving a 1/4-inch shell all around. Season the insides of the potato shells lightly with salt and pepper.
To the bowl with the potatoes, add the sour cream, cream, and butter. Use a potato masher and mix until almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in cheese, and the Mound into the potato shells. Place on a baking sheet and bake until heated through and the cheese is browned and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
Caesar Salad
2 servings
Ingredients
Salad
1/2 head Romaine lettuce, washed and finely chopped
1 cup croutons, see recipe below
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper for garnish
Dressing
1 anchovy, finely chopped or use anchovy paste
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons mayonnaise made with olive oil, if available
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Add the anchovy, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce to a bowl and whisk together.
Gradually whisk in the 1/4 cup of olive oil, whisking until the dressing is emulsified.
Place the chopped lettuce in a bowl and toss it with the dressing, and croutons. Top the salad with extra cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
Croutons
Ingredients
2 cups cubed bread
1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl combine the bread cubes and olive oil. Toss well to coat.
Pour the bread cubes onto a baking sheet. Spread them into a single layer. Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every five minutes to prevent burning. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
Butter Basted Rib Eyes
Salt
Two 1-inch thick boneless rib eye filet {petet} steaks
4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1 large clove of garlic, grated
½ teaspoon dried thyme
Mushroom Sauce
4 oz can of sliced mushrooms, drained
¼ cup red wine
Coarse black pepper to taste
Directions
Heat a medium skillet over high heat.
Salt each rib eye on 1 side. Place salt-side down in the pan and sear until brown, about 3 minutes. Salt the top side of the rib eyes and turn over. Cook until brown on the flip side, about 3 more minutes.
Add the butter to the pan and allow it to foam. Add garlic and thyme and baste steaks with butter. Cook, flipping after 2 minutes and continuing to baste until desired internal temperature is reached, about 2 more minutes for medium rare.
Remove steaks to a platter and cover lightly with foil.
Add the mushrooms and wine to the skillet and simmer on low heat, for about 5 minutes. Add pepper and pour over stacks to serve.
Green Salad With Dried Cranberries And Nuts
Salad
4 cups torn Romaine lettuce
1 tomato, diced
¼ of red onion, diced
¼ cup crumbled blue cheese
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup toasted walnuts
1cup croutons
Dressing
¼ cup raspberry vinegar
1tablespoon honey
1teadpoon dried Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon salt
1garlic clove, grated
½ cup avocado oil
Directions
Make the dressing in a jar, Shake well, and set aside.
Arrange salad ingredients in a salad bowl and drizzle with some of the dressing. Toss until well combined and serve with the steaks.
Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon
ingredients
Serves 2
2 filet mignon steaks, (5 to 6 ounces each, about 1 1/2 inches thick)
1 teaspoon coarse salt
2 tablespoons coarsely ground black peppercorns
2 teaspoons olive oil
Red Wine Sauce
1 cup red wine
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes
Coarse salt to taste
Directions
For the beef:
Season the beef filets very generously on both sides with the salt and pepper, patting it firmly. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Move the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Heat the oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
Place the steaks in the skillet and cook, without moving the steaks, until a dark brown crust has formed, about 3 minutes.
Using tongs, turn the steaks over and cook until well browned on the second side, about 3 minutes.
Place the skillet in the oven and roast the steaks 5 minutes for rare or 7 minutes for medium-rare to medium.
Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes, then serve with the sauce.
For the red wine sauce:
Place 1 cup red wine in a small saucepan; boil until reduced to 1/4 cup, 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove from the pan from the heat and add the butter. Stir the sauce until the butter is melted and the sauce is thickened about 1 minute.
Season with salt according to taste, if needed.
Salad With Roasted Beets, Blue Cheese and Pistachios
Vinaigrette
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large garlic clove, grated
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
Salad
1 bunch small golden beets, trimmed of leaves and washed well
4 cups romaine lettuce, cut into bite-size pieces
¼ red onion, sliced very thin
4 ounces blue cheese, cut into cubes
1/3 cup shelled, toasted pistachios, coarsely chopped
Homemade croutons, optional
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the beets on a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil and seal the ends to create a package.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until tender. Cool; peel and slice or cut into ½ inch pieces. Transfer to a small bowl.
Make the vinaigrette:
Combine all the ingredients in a jar and shake until well combined
Toss the beets with 1 tablespoon of the vinaigrette. Set aside until ready to prepare the salad.
Place the romaine and onion in a salad bowl and toss with some of the remaining vinaigrette.
Add the beets, pistachios and blue cheese and toss gently. Top with croutons, if using.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Baked Zucchini
Ingredients
2 small zucchini, halved lengthwise
1/2 of a small shallot, finely minced
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded chili
1 garlic clove, grated
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 slices thinly sliced prosciutto, halved lengthwise
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Score the cut side of the zucchini halves 1/8 inch deep in a diamond pattern. Toss shallot, olive oil, chili, garlic, 1 salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Rub the mixture on the cut sides of the zucchini halves. Wrap each zucchini piece with 2 prosciutto pieces, and arrange, cut side up, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until zucchini is crisp-tender, 20 minutes.
Transfer zucchini to a serving plate. Sprinkle with parsley.
Turkey Piccata
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless turkey cutlets
1/2 cup flour
Salt & Pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons capers
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions
Season the flour with salt and pepper, and lightly pound the turkey breast into thin cutlets. Dredge the cutlets in the seasoned flour. Heat the oil and butter in a heavy frying pan, and add the cutlets to the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side over medium heat, until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove the cutlets to a plate and keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
Add the wine to the pan and cook over high heat until reduced by half. Add the lemon juice and chicken broth to the pan and bring to a boil. Stir in the capers and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Return all of the cooked cutlets to the frying pan, and heat in the sauce. Serve hot.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
ingredients
1 pound Yukon Gold or russet potatoes
Coldwater, for cooking, enough to cover by 1-inch
1 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons heavy cream
3 tablespoons butter
Salt to taste
Directions
Scrub potatoes well and peel them. Cut potatoes into 1-inch pieces and place the potatoes in a large pot. Cover with cold water, then stir in the 1 teaspoon salt. Cover and bring to a boil on high, then reduce the heat to maintain a low boil until potatoes are tender and a knife moves easily through the center, about 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes.
In a small pan, gently melt the butter and cream and mix together, keep warm.
Return the drained potatoes to the cooking pot, turn the heat to medium and let the excess water cook off for a minute or two, shaking the pan occasionally. Mash the potatoes until smooth. With a spatula, slowly turn the cream-butter mixture into the potatoes. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Serve immediately.
Note: the potatoes can be prepared earlier and reheated in a casserole dish in the oven with the roasting zucchini.
I recently roasted root vegetables for dinner and had extra cooked spinach on hand, so rather than reheat the vegetables, I came up with a new way to serve them. The two new dishes complimented pan seared beef tenderloin steaks very well.
Spinach Stuffed Tomatoes
Ingredients
2 large beefsteak tomatoes
1 cup leftover garlic sautéed spinach
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons Panko bread crumbs
Olive oil
Directions
Cut off a thin slice from the tops of the tomatoes. Scoop out the seeds and center flesh with a small serrated spoon. Sprinkle the insides of the tomatoes with a little salt and turn them over on a paper towel to drain for 30 minutes.
Divide the spinach in half and fill the center of the tomatoes. Top the spinach with 1 tablespoon of grated cheese and sprinkle the bread crumbs on top. Drizzle with a little olive oil.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil a small baking dish and place the filled tomatoes in the dish. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
Roasted Root Vegetable Puree
Ingredients
2 cups leftover roasted root vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips)
1-2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Directions
Place the roasted vegetables in the processor. Pulse until completely pureed. Add the cream to make a smooth mixture. Place the pureed vegetables in a microwave safe bowl, top with the butter and heat on high for several minutes until the vegetables are hot. Sprinkle on the chives and serve.
Filet Mignon with Cabernet Sauce
Ingredients
2- 6 oz. filet mignon steaks, about 1-inch thick
1/2 teaspoon each salt & pepper
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 tablespoon fresh herbs, such as rosemary or thyme
1 cup Cabernet wine
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
Heat a skillet and add 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinkle the steaks with salt & pepper. Cook filets until desired doneness,4- 5 minutes per side (depending on thickness) for medium-rare.
Remove the steaks to serving plates
Add shallots, cook 1 min, add wine and herbs. Boil for several minutes until reduced. Stir in butter. Pour the sauce over the steaks and serve.
Baked Chicken In Wine Sauce
2 servings
Ingredients
2 large skin on, bone-in chicken breast halves
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 shallot, minced
4 oz white or crimini mushrooms, sliced
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, plus extra for the roasted chisken
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon flour, cornstarch or arrowroot
Chopped chives to garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a medium skillet heat 1 tablespoon butter until melted, then add the chicken, skin-side down. Brown on each side until golden, about three minutes per side, then remove to a greased baking dish just large enough to fit the chicken. Sprinkle each breast with salt, pepper and dried thyme. Place the baking dish in the oven and roast the chicken for 40-45 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F.
When the chicken is almost done, add the remaining butter to the skillet and heat until melted. Add the shallots; sauté until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and sauté until they start to release their liquid, about 4 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the thyme and white wine. Cook for a minute or two.
Combine the broth and cream in a large measuring cup. Whisk in the flour. Pour the mixture into the skillet and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until thickened. Add the baked chicken breasts, skin side down, and simmer in the sauce for about 5 minutes.
Turn the chicken over and sprinkle with chopped chives. Serve immediately.
Sautéed Savoy Cabbage
2 servings
Ingredients
Half of a medium head of Savoy cabbage, sliced into thin ribbons
1 clove garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
2 oz. butter
Salt and pepper
Directions
Melt butter in a deep frying pan. Add the garlic and onion. Cook until the onion is soft. Add the shredded cabbage.
Sauté the cabbage on medium heat for 15 minutes.
Lower the heat and continue cooking until the cabbage is silky soft.. Stir regularly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Roasted Zucchini Rounds
2 servings
Ingredients
1 large zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch rounds
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375° F. Place zucchini slices in an oiled shallow baking pan in one layer.
Brush each round with olive oil. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Roast until tender, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the cheese and return to oven for another 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Sautéed Grouper In Shrimp Cream Sauce
2 servings
Sauce
1 large shallot, finely diced
1 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup white wine
1 tomato, peeled, seeded and diced
Pinch of salt and pepper
1 cup diced shrimp (about 6 large) (peeled and deveined)
1/4 cup heavy (whipping) cream
1/4 teaspoon each of white pepper and salt
5 or 6 leaves of fresh basil, torn into small pieces
Grouper
2 tablespoons each of butter and olive oil for sautéing
1 grouper fillet or other white fish fillets, about 8 oz
Flour
Salt and pepper for seasoning
Directions
In a saucepan, sauté the diced shallot in 1 tablespoon butter until tender. Add the wine, tomato, salt, and pepper.
Bring to a boil and let the broth simmer until reduced to about half. Add the shrimp and cream. Cook for about one minute or until the shrimp are barely done.
Set aside while you prepare the fish.
Put the butter and oil in a skillet large enough to cook the grouper. Season the fish with salt and pepper and lightly dust with flour.
When the butter sizzles, add the fish and cook on each side until cooked through and golden. Pour the shrimp cream sauce over the fish and garnish with basil.
Serve immediately.
Broccoli Sauté
Serves: 2
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups broccoli florets
Zest and juice of one orange
Freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
2 tablespoons toasted, slivered almonds
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-low heat.
Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add the broccoli, salt, pepper, orange zest, orange juice and sauté with the olive oil and garlic mixture until the broccoli turns bright green and becomes tender.
Remove the skillet from the heat, sprinkle with toasted almonds and serve.
Easy Coquilles St. Jacques
Serve this entrée with a green salad or sautéed greens.
Ingredients for 4 servings
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for the gratin dishes
1 finely diced large shallot
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
1/2 cup seafood stock or clam juice
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning (Old Bay)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 ounces cremini mushrooms, chopped
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 ounces grated Gruyère cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds fresh bay scallops or sea scallops cut in half
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and place four (1 1/2-cup) gratin dishes on sheet pans. Lightly coat the dishes with butter
Combine the fresh bread crumbs, parsley, and olive oil in a medium bowl and stir to moisten the crumbs. Stir in the cheese. Set aside.
Dry the scallops well on paper towels.
In a medium-size saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat.
Add the shallots and garlic and saute for just a minute or so.
Add the mushrooms and seafood seasoning. Saute, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms no longer release moisture.
Add the flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Add the wine and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the seafood stock and cream.
Season with a little with salt and pepper..Take the saucepan off the heat and add the scallops and mix carefully with a silicone spatula.
Divide the mixture equally among the gratin dishes.
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly on top of each gratin dish and bake for 20 minutes, until the crumbs are lightly browned and the sauce is bubbly. Serve immediately.
Easy BBQ Shrimp
Serve this entrée with potato salad and a tomato or cucumber salad.
4 servings
Ingredients
1 lb jumbo shrimp (16 per lb), cleaned, deveined and shells removed
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
½ cup homemade or store-bought BBQ sauce
Link to my homemade recipe.
Directions
For cooking outdoors: heat an outdoor grill to high and oil the grill grates. For cooking indoors: heat a stovetop grill pan over medium heat for 5-6 minutes.
In a glass dish mix the shrimp with the olive oil and sprinkle them generously with the salt and pepper.
Thread the shrimp on skewers and place them on the grill, if cooking outdoors. Place in a single layer in the grill pan, if cooking indoors.
Cook until grill marks appear and the shrimp turn deep pink, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Place the BBQ sauce in the dish that held the shrimp and warm the sauce in the microwave.
When the shrimp come off the grill, slide them off the skewers or out of the grill pan into the dish with the barbecue sauce and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Pan Seared Petite Ribeye Steaks
Servings 2
Ingredients
Steak
2 grass-fed, organic, petite ribeye steaks about ½ inch thick and 6-8 oz each
1 teaspoon Montreal steak seasoning
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Mushroom Shallot Wine Sauce
1 large, finely chopped shallot
16 small button mushroom caps, stems removed
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
Directions
Season the steaks on all sides with the steak seasoning.
Heat a heavy skillet on high heat until very hot.
Sear steaks 1 minute on each side.
Continue to sauté in the pan turning the heat down to medium for an additional 2 minutes per side.
Place the cooked steaks on a plate and cover with foil, so that they rest while the sauce is made.
Reduce the heat to medium-low in the skillet and add the garlic, shallot, mushroom caps and butter to the pan drippings. Sauté 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Add the wine, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and salt; cook over low heat about 3 minutes or until the sauce is reduced slightly. Remove the pan the from heat and stir in the parsley. Pour the mushroom mixture over the steaks and serve.
Parmesan Baked Cauliflower
Ingredients
1 head of cauliflower
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper
2 egg whites
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.
Cut the head of cauliflower into large florets. Place the florets in a large mixing bowl.
In a small bowl mix together the oil, garlic, salt, pepper and eggs. Gently toss with the florets.
Sprinkle Parmesan in with the florets and mix to coat.
Spread the florets on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake about 30 minutes or until browned and tender, turning the florets over after 15 minutes. Serve with the steaks.
Cook an easy, elegant, restaurant quality dinner at home. Make the meal special by placing a bouquet of flowers on the table and getting a good bottle of wine. This picture just says – relax!
Salad With Roasted Beets, Blue Cheese and Pistachios
Vinaigrette
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large garlic clove, grated
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
Salad
1 bunch small golden beets, trimmed of leaves and washed well
4 cups romaine lettuce, cut into bite-size pieces
¼ of a red onion, sliced very thin
4 ounces blue cheese, cut into cubes
1/3 cup shelled, toasted pistachios, coarsely chopped
Homemade croutons, optional
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the beets on a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil and seal the ends to create a package.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until tender. Cool; peel and slice or cut into ½ inch pieces. Transfer to a small bowl.
Make the vinaigrette:
Combine all the ingredients in a jar and shake until well combined
Toss the beets with 1 tablespoon of the vinaigrette. Set aside until ready to prepare the salad.
Place the romaine and onion in a salad bowl and toss with some of the remaining vinaigrette.
Add the beets, pistachios and blue cheese and toss gently. Top with croutons, if using.
Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon
Ingredients
Serves 2
2 filet mignon steaks, (5 to 6 ounces each, about 1 1/2 inches thick)
1 teaspoon coarse salt
2 tablespoons coarsely ground black peppercorns
2 teaspoons olive oil
Red Wine Sauce
1 cup red wine
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes
Coarse salt to taste
Directions
For the beef:
Season the beef filets very generously on both sides with the salt and pepper, patting it firmly. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Move the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Heat the oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
Place the steaks in the skillet and cook, without moving the steaks, until a dark brown crust has formed, about 3 minutes.
Using tongs, turn the steaks over and cook until well browned on the second side, about 3 minutes.
Place the skillet in the oven and roast the steaks 5 minutes for rare or 7 minutes for medium-rare to medium.
Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes, then serve with the sauce.
For the red wine sauce:
Place 1 cup red wine in a small saucepan; boil until reduced to 1/4 cup, 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove from the pan from the heat and add the butter. Stir the sauce until the butter is melted and the sauce is thickened, about 1 minute.
Season with salt according to taste, if needed.
