Valentine's Day Edition
Steak, Potatoes and Romance.
For this week we are doing a Valentine's Day special. This is a day to cook up something special for your special someone. We have two quick, yet, delicious recipes you could try this Valentine's Day.
First, we have the marinara sauce made from smoked tomatoes. This is a fairly simple process and requires things you may already have around the kitchen.
Ingredients of Marinara:
1. Red Onion
2. Eight Large Fresh Tomatoes
3. Garlic
4. Dry Red Wine
5. Salt
6. Pepper
For the smoked tomatoes use a backing sheet line with foil, use a thing drying rack. Quarter the tomatoes, sprinkle on some salt, pepper, olive oil and some bay seasoning. Heat the smoker to 250° and then cook for 2 hours. Let it cool slightly and peel the tomatoes, you want to do this while they are still warm for easier peeling.
Saute some onions in olive oil for about 15 minutes until they are soft and sweet. Add some minced or whole garlic, and simple seasoning (Salt, Pepper, chili powder/ flakes), keep it simple to show the tomatoes. Stir together and add some red wine. Let reduce, then add tomatoes, and sit for about 20 minutes. Using a potato masher or hand blender to get to the desired consistency. You may need to adjust to taste, every time you make this is it will vary because of ripeness of tomatoes and wine used.
Pretty simple, right? Add this to some noodles with some smoked sausage or chicken and you have a wonderful pasta.
If you are not wanting to make a pasta maybe a steak is more your choice? Maybe a porterhouse? T-bone for him and a filet for her.
The next recipe is for a porterhouse steak.
Ingredients:
1. 3 to 4 pound porterhouse steak, 3 to 4 inches thick
2. 1 big bunch (1/4 pound) fresh thyme
3. 2 tablespoons kosher salt
4. 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
5. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the grill
Let the steak stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Take 6 sprigs of the thyme and strip the leaves from the stems. Finely chop the leaves; you should have about 1 tablespoon. Set aside. Put half of the remaining sprigs of thyme in a small bowl. Cover with cool water and soak for 10 minutes while heating up the grill. Preheat the grill to medium-low. Pat the steak dry and rub both sides with the chopped thyme, salt, and pepper, pressing to adhere. Drizzle both sides of the steak with oil and rub the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking. Put the steak on the grill, close the lid, and grill for 8 minutes for medium-rare. Using tongs, carefully lift up the grill grate and toss a third of the soaked thyme sprigs directly onto the gas burner or coals so they smolder, imparting an amazing aroma and flavor. Rotate the steak a quarter turn to “mark” it. Close the lid, and continue to grill the steak for another 8 minutes. Open the lid and again, carefully lift up the grill grate and set the remaining smoked thyme directly on the fire. Turn over the steak and cook for 8 minutes, rotate, and cook for 8 minutes more. Check the internal temperature of the steak with an instant read thermometer, it should be about 135° F for medium-rare. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and allow to rest for 10 minutes so the juices can settle before carving.
Serve with grilled potato or something simple and you have a great dinner.
Regardless of what you choose have a wonderful Valentines day dinner with your special someone. So from our family to yours HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!
