Filet Mignon Steak Sandwiches & Mashed Cauliflower

Hooooooooly moooooly I don't know where time is going! I honestly feel like it hasn't been that long since I last blogged, but man oh man! It has been a really busy November already, and I just honestly don't know where time is going. December marks one year for me in San Francisco, and it feels like just yesterday I was moving in and drooling over my Viking stove. The holidays are always a really fun time for me, because I get to see a lot of friends and family, but they can get pretty stressful and hectic, as you may know. I am making it my mission to make some festive treats, because my Pinterest just has so many good looking things it would be a shame to pass some of them up. For instance, I've been eying a pistachio fudge for a while and think it would be a pretty darn cool Christmas present for family members...

The other night, I desperately needed to go grocery shopping. While at the store, I got sucked into the meat section and found myself picking out steaks. Riley loves a good filet mignon, and said he always used to order it at restaurants when he was out with his family, so I decided that would be a good treat for him. He suggested to pair it with mashed cauliflower and potatoes, so I used mainly cauliflower and two small peeled, russet potatoes.

If you're looking for something really simple, that doesn't take a lot of time, this is definitely the recipe for you...I made up my own recipes on these, so feel free to flavor to taste as you go. We decided to caramelize some onions, add some arugula, brie, and make it into a steak sandwich, but do as you please! Duh.

Filet Mignon Steak Sandwiches

Ingredients:

2 8oz Filet Mignon steaks
1/2 yellow onion, sliced lengthwise
8 oz creamy brie (or whatever, how much you want?)
1 baguette
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch coarse sea salt
2 tablespoons butter

 Directions:

1. In a medium sized bowl, add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, and pepper. Add steaks and let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes (or up to an hour) to marinate

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

3. Heat a cast iron skillet on medium heat, and sprinkle 1 pinch coarse sea salt

4. While the steaks are marinating, melt butter in a small pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions, and cook until they become brown and fragrant

5. Sear the steaks roughly 3-4 minutes per side, depending on your desired doneness

6. In a bake proof pan or skillet, place steaks in the oven for about 8 minutes for medium-rare

7. Take the steaks out, and let sit on a cutting board for 10 minutes

8. Slice the steak against the grain in 1/2 inch pieces, and toast bread

9. Add brie, caramelized onion, steak, and arugula onto sandwich, et voila!

Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes

Ingredients:

3 teaspoon salt

1 head cauliflower

2 small russet potatoes

1 tablespoon minced garlic

3 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions

1. Boil salted water in a large pot (1 teaspoon salt)

2. Peel potatoes, then cut up potatoes and cauliflower into smaller pieces

3. When water is boiling, place cauliflower and potatoes in the water, and cook until tender, about 12 minutes. If they aren't super soft, keep cooking them because you will want them to be easy to mash up

4. Drain vegetables, then return to large pot, and add the remaining ingredients. 

 

Mix together well, and mash until at a desired consistency

It literalllllly is that easy! Bon appetit!