Marc's Birthday!

I did, indeed, make Marc breakfast in bed! It was simple, not fancy: 3 eggs scrambled with a little bit of milk, salt, and pepper (btw, they were the best scrambled eggs I'd ever made), 1 thick slice of pork roll, and 2 pieces of cinnamon French toast (with Udi's Wholegrain GF Bread). He had to wake up 15 minutes early, but I don't think that he minded, especially since I woke up half an hour before him (5:00 AM) to make him the breakfast!

My day just went downhill from there. I had to sub at a local school, so I didn't get to go back to sleep. Not only did I have to make breakfast for myself, I needed to figure out something to take for lunch that I didn't have to reheat. I'd made a bolognese the night before to go over Tinkyada Vegetable Spirals. I used the spirals to make a pasta salad. It was simple. I chopped a bell pepper, 5 large radishes, and carrots. I added them to the left over pasta and a couple of handfuls of grape tomatoes. To dress it, I put in extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper! But it took energy! By the time I got to school, I was tired. By the end of the day, I remembered why I taught middle and high school! Third graders are just too hyper! Not to mention, you have to be with them ALL DAY!

By the time I got home, I didn't have the energy to make anything fancy for Marc's dinner. I felt really badly, but I couldn't help it. I had planned on lobster, but the store didn't get a fresh shipment, so that was out of the question. I asked Marc what he wanted and he said that steak would be fine! I bought nice NY Strips and some asparagus. There are no step-by-step pictures this time! I was way too tired to detail it that much! But, I did manage to take a picture of the plate before Marc dug into it! I hope you enjoy the recipes!

STEAK with MUSHROOM RED WINE REDUCTION
This is really Alton Brown's recipe on how to cook a steak! It is so easy and quick! First, preheat your oven to 500 degrees F and insert the pan you plan on using on the stove top! Cast iron is great, but I use my Calphalon Unison, which is labeled to be used in a 500 degree oven! Make sure to use a pot holder to take it out, or you'll get burned! I cook my steaks medium-rare, so that is what the times reflect. 
I liberally coated two 1-1/2 inch NY Strip steaks with canola oil, salt, and pepper. I place the HOT pan over high heat and seared the steaks for 30 seconds on each side. I inserted the pan with steaks into the oven. After two minutes, I flipped the steaks. After two additional minutes, I removed the steaks, used a meat thermometer to check the temperature (I wanted 135 degrees F), and placed them on an inverted plate over a slightly larger plate (this allowed the juices to run off and not make the crust soggy). I tented them with aluminum foil (not tightly sealed, just laid over to keep the heat in). This will allow the meat rest and to continue cooking a little, so be careful that it doesn't get too done! 
I left the hot pan over high heat and sautéed mushrooms in the drippings from the meat! I didn't add anything else! After sautéing for five minutes, I added about two cups of red wine (I used Childress Vineyards Classic Red Table because it was all I had on hand) and reduced it by about half. This took about five more minutes. I added 3 tablespoons of butter, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of freshly ground pepper. 
I served the reduction over top of the steak! It was delicious!


ASPARAGUS and BAKED POTATOES
Yes, I took the easy way out! I steamed the asparagus for five minutes in 1/2 inch of water over medium-low heat! That was it! Of course it was covered! I put the water on to begin bubbling and trapping steam when I began the steaks. I added the asparagus when mushrooms were finished sautéing. 
The baked potatoes were even easier. I cheated and used the microwave, one kitchen appliance that I never use except to reheat! I pierced the potatoes with a fork several times wrapped each one with a damp paper towel. I just used to potato function on the microwave when I began my mushrooms and they were ready when the reduction was finished! I loaded them with butter, sour cream, and cheddar cheese! After all, this was a special occasion!

Before the Mushroom Red Wine Reduction

After the Mushroom Red Wine Reduction

I hope that you all try at least the steak! 

It is so easy and great for those times that you can't use the grill!

***Of course, it wouldn't have been a birthday for Marc without an ice cream cake. I don't like them, so I just bought a Carvel cake at the store! Thirty-two candles barely fit on the tiny thing! :) But he liked it!