Sunday's Story

Holy Crap. I woke up late on Sunday, but caught the last of the local news. I was amazed at the damage done to Lake Orion by storms. Trees down, roofs ripped off and no power anywhere. By comparison, it never even rained here in Redford!

It took a long time to fill in the Blog entry (yesterday was busy) but I finally got it done. Then I started the second load of the weekend wash.

I made soft-boiled eggs for my breakfast while starting the last load of laundry. I had washed the blankets I used to deliver the sofa table yesterday. I did the usual Sunday morning chores and then shaved and showered.

It was another warm, sunny day (at least in the morning), so I backed the truck out and swept out the garage. Note to self: You really need to get the transfer shovel out of the shed and scrape the dried mud off the garage floor. Then I got the leaf blower and blew the dust out as well. Since I had it out, I blew off the front porch as well.

I walked around and did another springtime inspection. I was pleased to see the hyacinths coming up again. Apparently, the squirrels just ate the emerging leaves, not the bulbs.

I was a little disappointed to see my daffodils. They are up, but not yet budding. By comparison, my neighbor Tammy’s are in full bloom!

My daffodils

Tammy's daffodils

I pulled the truck back in and shut up the garage. Then I got my work gloves and a hand pruner. I went out back to the wall at the far end of the yard. I started cutting off the “Virginia creeper” (kudzu) I had pulled off the wall the other day. It took most of the afternoon. When I got to the chicken wire I had attached to the wall for the morning glories (years ago), I walked back in the house and got the wire nippers. I cut them down and put them in the compost heap. I’ll figure out what to do with them some other time.

There was rain forecast, but all it did was get cloudy and windy here. I got about three quarters of the wall done before I decided I had had enough of that sh*t and quit.

Back inside, I caught the last period of the Red Wings game and then I took a nap.

When I woke up, it was almost 5:00 p.m., so I decided it was time to make my Sunday supper.

Now, I couldn’t find any filet mignon at Kroger’s (which doesn’t surprise me) so I bought two beautiful Angus tenderloin filets instead. I took them out, seasoned them on both sides with Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper and let them come up to room temperature.

Meanwhile, I peeled all the Yukon Gold potatoes I had left. Now, I know you don’t necessarily have to peel the Yukon Gold or even redskin potatoes, but I was going for “elegant.” I took out some milk, added some butter and a handful of frozen chives and let that warm up as well.

I cut the potatoes into cubes and put them in a pan with cold water. I put them on the stove on medium-high heat. I fine-diced a shallot and set it aside.

Meanwhile, I got out my trusty cast iron frying pan. I added some canola oil, put it on my super burner and got it screaming hot. Note: I shut the office and bedroom doors, opened the kitchen window and turned on the vent fan before doing this. I didn’t want those broads yelling at me!

I threw the steaks in the pan and didn’t move them for 3-4 minutes. Then I flipped them with my tongs. Nice crust!!! I let them go for another 3-4 minutes and then turned the heat down. I took the steaks out, put them on a plate to rest and covered them with aluminum foil.

The potatoes were fork tender, so I drained them, added some of the milk/butter/chive mixture and mashed them. I added a little more milk and did it again until I had the consistency I wanted.

I put some frozen peas in my microwave steamer and steamed them.

Meanwhile, I added the shallots and 1/2 cup of port wine to the frying pan. Cook’s note: you were supposed to use three tablespoons, but I just used all I had diced. I cooked them about a minute until the wine had almost evaporated. I scraped the pan (to get up all the tasty brown bits) and then added 1/2 cup of beef broth. I let that reduce another minute or so (until there was about 1/3 cup remaining). I removed it from the heat and added a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to my sauce.

I plated the dish and took a picture for you. You will note that I was so hungry I forgot to wipe the plate off! Forgive me. At least you didn’t have to see me drooling!

Then I feasted. OMG! It was fantastic!!! I think this was the best steak I ever made inside.

I watched some taped TV for a while. Then I put the now-cooled leftovers away. I went back to the TV until I got sleepy and then went to bed.