rib eye steak, buttermilk mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, chocolate pie...

*pan fried rib eye steak*

2 rib eye steaks

1 Tbsp Seasoned Salt

3 Tbsp Lemon Pepper

1 tsp salt

black pepper

1-2 Tbsp olive oil

1-2 Tbsp butter

Combine season salt, lemon pepper, salt & pepper (as much as you can stand). Rub onto both sides of steak. Heat a skillet on med high and add equal parts olive oil and butter, allow butter to brown a little. Place meat into hot skillet and cook 2-3 min, turn and cook another 2-3 min (for med rare.) Remove to a plate and cover with foil 10-15 min. (remember...the juices will run out if you cut into ANY meat too soon... result: dry meat)

*buttermilk mashed potatoes*

1 1/2 lbs boiling potatoes

1/4 cup milk

4 Tbsp butter

1/4 -1/2 cup buttermilk

salt & pepper

Cut potatoes into 1 1/2 in cubes. Boil until fork tender. Drain in collander and place back into hot pan on burner (burner should be off). This allows extra moisture to leave potatoes. While potatoes are boiling warm milk and butter in a small saucepan. Mash potatoes (either with a mixer or potato masher). Add milk/butter combination and mix until smooth. Add buttermilk to desired creaminess. Season with salt and pepper.

*roasted broccoli*

broccoli

olive oil

salt & pepper

lemon wedges

Cut broccoli into florets. Place on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 min (approx) or until broccoli is fork tender. Serve with a lemon wedge.

I know the way to my man's heart...meat and potatoes!! I got the general idea for this meal and the recipe for the rib eye (along with a few other recipes) from Pioneer Woman (she is amazing!) I knew it was a hit when he rolled his eyes and put his head back with each bite!! I'm not much of a steak person and I thought this was unbelievably good.

The mashed potatoes are fabulous! I chose not to peel my red potatoes, but you can do whatever you like. The buttermilk gives it a little bit of a tangy flavor, very subtle.

And the broccoli...oh the broccoli!! Try roasting it, you won't be disappointed. The little bit of lemon juice on the finished product just gave it a very fresh flavor. Yum!

don't go yet...

*angie pie*

2 oz semi sweet chocolate, melted and cooled

1/4 lb butter; room temp

3/4 cup powdered sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp almond or vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 9in chocolate pie shell

Beat butter and powdered sugar until fluffy, blend in chocolate. Add eggs one at a time, beating each for 3 min (very important), add extract. Whip one cup cream and gently fold into chocolate mixture. Spread into crust. Refrigerate several hours. Serve with sweetened whipped cream.

Ok, this recipe calls for raw eggs...if you are pregnant, elderly, under two, or just grossed out by the thought...sorry! I googled ways to use uncooked eggs in recipes and found some good tips out there, I just didn't have time to make a back-up pie if it altered the outcome of the recipe. I've used egg beaters in other recipes with success, I just didn't here...I went with the fool proof way. Just make sure your eggs are fresh, and show no cracks.

Alright...I got this recipe from my cute sister in law...hence the name! We (my family) has worshipped her ever since the first time we tried it...some 15 years ago... (we love her for many other reasons, too!) When I make it I use almond and vanilla extract (one tsp of each), 2 tsp of almond extract is a little too strong for me, but that's just me. You can always just use vanilla and that is completely delicious, as well. Thanks Ang, it was the perfect ending to our dinner!