Plan B

     When I got up and walked the dog this morning, I could not help but notice how warm it was! Did not really need the jacket and it was only 7:30 in the morning. This can only mean one thing - Grilling! We love to grill out but have not done much with our never ending winter. Don't get me wrong, I have grilled in snow and cold, but it is so much better to grill when the temp is above 50 or 60. Kz and I put together a simple menu for grilling - filet mignon, asparagus and baked potatoes. This was going to be tasty!

     As we were sitting around watching the Masters, the house seemed to be getting much cooler. I went outside to check things out and wouldn't you know it, the wind was now blowing about 25 mph and the temp had dropped about 20 degrees. Charcoal grill + wind + cold just do not mix. Since we had already been to the store we kept the same menu, just had to change the cooking method. Plus I added chocolate cupcakes to the menu. I was watching Food Network and there was a 30 second spot with Ina Garten making cupcakes that looked really good. Now, if i can just remember all the ingredients........

     No salad tonight so Johnny brought over shrimp cocktail to get the night started.

menu:
pan seared filet mignon
roasted asparagus
baked potatoes
chocolate cupcakes


pan seared filet mignon
ingredients:
6 oz filets
salt
pepper
vegetable oil

directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Let the meat sit at room temperature for
30 minutes before cooking.

Brush the filets with vegetable oil.

Normally I use olive oil when cooking but for this the

vegetable oil performs better when searing over a high heat.

Mix salt and pepper in a bowl and roll filets in mixture. This will give an even coating on the filets. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. When the pan is good and hot add the filets and brown on all sides, 2 minutes per side. Put pan in oven and cook for 6-8 minutes for medium rare, 8-10 minutes for medium. Adjust times for desired doneness. Remove from oven, place on a platter and cover tightly with foil. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Note: if cooking past medium you might as

 well save some money and have a hamburger:)

  roasted asparagus

ingredients:

asparagus

olive oil

salt

pepper

lemon juice

directions

Cover a baking sheet with foil. Spread asparagus over pan.

Squeeze juice from half a lemon over asparagus

Drizzle olive oil and season with salt and pepper

Roast in 400 degree oven for ten minutes. Serve hot.



baked potatoes

ingredients

baking potatoes

vegetable oil

salt

pepper

sour cream

directions

Wash and dry potatoes. Brush with vegetable oil

and poke holes in each potato with fork. Cook in microwave for

12 minutes (this was enough time for 3 potatoes)

Let rest a few minutes before serving. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with butter and sour cream.

Put it all together and enjoy. I came to find out

this is how Kz actually prefers her filet to be cooked.

We also had some wild mushrooms sauteed in red wine

to go with the filet.

Now time for the dessert.....

chocolate cupcakes

ingredients

1 stick butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

4 eggs

1 can Hershey's chocolate syrup

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup flour

Directions

preheat oven to 350 degrees

cream butter and sugar in mixer

add eggs and mix well

add vanilla and Hershey's syrup while continuing to mix

add flour and mix until batter is smooth

pour into cupcake pans

bake on middle rack for 30 minutes or until toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks.

We served these with ice cream and fresh sliced strawberries. Excellent!               

See you all next week!