Steak Night

When we have steak, Jeannene is generally the one who initiates it and cooks it. She usually makes filet. Now, I have nothing against filet, but my personal favorite is ribeye. Every once in awhile, I get a notion to make steak. This usually happens when I know we're going to be too busy to have a meal together for awhile & I want to go out with a bang. Steak is one of Jeannene's favorite foods. So, with a busy weekend and then a week of business travel for Jeannene this week, Friday night was steak night. I made Steak Diane with spicy potato wedges and Georgia cracker salad. The steak is a classic dish. The potatoes are Nigella's & the cracker salad is, as you might expect, a Paula Deen specialty.

Steak Diane:
6 tbsp. butter
1chopped shallot
2 ribeyes, pounded thin (I think sirloin is more commonly used)
2 tbsp. brandy
A big dash Worcestershire sauce
Minced parsley
Salt & pepper

In a heavy skillet (I love my Lodge cast iron), melt 4 tbsp. butter and sauté the shallots until they are golden. Turn heat up to medium-high and add the steaks, giving them a good, quick sear on each side. Add the brandy (it should flame up, so be prepared). After the alcohol burns off and the flame dies down, add the Worcestershire sauce and a few pinches of parsley. Add 2 tbsp. butter and allow to melt. Season as needed and sauté another minute or so. Serves 2 hungry people or allows for steak salad the next day.

Spicy Potato Wedges:
2 potatoes (about 1 lb)
2 tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. paprika
Salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut the potatoes into wedges. Put oil & spices in a baking dish. Add potatoes & toss to coat. Bake 20 minutes in a single layer. Turn and bake another 10 minutes. Salt to taste. Serves 2.

Georgia Cracker Salad:
1 sleeve saltine crackers
1 large tomato, chopped
3 scallions, chopped
1 1/2 c. mayonnaise
1 hard-cooked egg, chopped

Crush the crackers coarsely. Mix everything together well and serve promptly. Serves 6. It sounds completely weird, but I promise you, it is truly scrumptious!