Bacon Wrapped Sirloin with Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes!!

A few weeks ago a childhood friend who is also coincidentally also friends with my husband now was in town visiting. I promised to have him over for dinner, but couldn't decide what to make for him and my husband. What do you do when you are cooking for two men who just like meat? You omit the frilly greens and you get straight to the meat and potatoes! Of course, I couldn't make just plain old meat and potatoes, so I made Bacon-wrapped sirloin with super-stuffed potatoes with smoked gouda and caramelized mushrooms and onions? Sounds like a mouthful and it lived up to that expectation. I think both men were so excited by how delicious and "manly" this meal was that they were nearly at a loss for words other than the "mmmmm" sounds coming from their mouths.

I also loved this meal, though it is one to eat only occasionally because it is very high in fat and super rich tasting! I am very proud of myself  (excuse me while I pat myself on the back) because normally I make hubby cook the steak, but he deserved a night off to visit with his friend, so I emarked on pan searing the perfect steak and I nailed it! Hubby was also proud and there was a lot of compliments coming in my direction, which as those of you who also live with males will understand, this doesn't happen that often!! Needless to say, this was a winner! Try it out on your husband when you have a bit to-do list waiting for him and he will be more than happy to work on that list in exchange for this meal. :)

Bacon-Wrappe Sirloin with Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes
Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray's 365: No Repeats

Ingredients:

• 2 large russet potatoes, cleaned and pricked with a fork several times each
• 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 lb button mushrooms, brushed clean and then thinly sliced
• 1 small yellow onion, minced
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
• 4 slices thick, centre cut bacon
• 4 steaks (aproximately 1 - 1 1/2 inches thick)
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/3 lb smoked gouda cheese, shredded

Method:

1. Preheat the broiler to high.
2. Place potatoes on microwave safe plate and microwave on high for 15 minutes, or until tender. While potatoes are cooking, make the stuffing for the potatoes.
3. Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat with about 2 tbsp of the olive oil. Add the mushrooms and cook until they start to brown (about 4-5 minutes). Add the onions, garlic, thyme, salt & pepper. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes.
4. While all that is working, line the bacon slices up on a meat-safe cutting board a few inches apart. Preheat a second skillet over high heat with the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil. Season the steaks with salt and pepper and center each steak on top of a bacon slices. Wrap the bacon over the steaks and place seam side down in the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes on each side. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, turning occasionally for another 6-10 minutes for medium rare to medium well.
5. Once the potatoes are cooked, cut them in half lenth-wise and scoop out the flesh into a medium bowl, taking care not to rip the potato skins. Using a potato masher, smash the potato flesh together with the sour cream until combined. Stir in te sauteed mushrooms and onions, shredded gouda, salt and pepper. Mound the filling back into the skins and top with a little more gouda cheese. Place on a cookie sheet and transfer to the broiler, 6 inches from te heat, until lightly brown, 3-4 minutes.
6. Serve bacon wrapped sirloin alongside the stuffed potatoes.

Sounds like a lot of work, but this recipe is out of one of Rachael Ray's 30 minute meals cookbooks, so it actually doesn't take that long! I think from start to finish I had this on the table within 40 minutes. :)

Happy Cooking my Friends! Hope you are managing to stay dry in this miserable weather. :) Time to break out the comfort food!