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!

Ginger Flank Steak with Wasabi Smashed Potatoes & Sesame-Soy Green Beans and Peppers

Sick of your same-old same-old week night dinner routine? Think you can't whip up a great, new recipe on a weeknight when you're tired after work? Think again!!! Rachael Ray is here to save the day with some more of her "30 Minute Meals". You will be in and out of the kitchen in 30 minutes flat and dining on a great meal that will get you out of your week night dinner rut. I guarantee it!

Give this recipe a try this week and let me know what you think! If you like it and find these kind of recipes helpful in getting you through the week, let me know and I will definitely post more. :)

Ginger Flank Steak with Wasabi Smashed Potatoes & Sesame Soy Green Beans & Peppers

Rachael Ray's Big Orange Book

Ingredients:

• 3 inches of fresh gingerroot, peeled and grated
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp tamari (aged soy sauce)
• zest and juice of 2 limes
• 5 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp grill seasoning (i.e. montreal steak spice)
• 2 lbs flank steak
• 2 1/2- 3 lbs idaho potatoes (4 large potatoes), peeled and cut into chunks
• salt
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 to 2 tbsp wasabi paste (how hot do ya like it?!)
• 3/4 lb green beans, ends trimmed
• salt
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 4 scallions, trimmed of root ends
• a handful of fresh cilantro leaves

Method:

1. Preheat a grill pan or indoor/ outdoor grill to high.
2. Combine the ginger, 1/4 cup of the tamari, lime juice, 3 tbsp of the oil, and grill seasoning in a shallow dish. Add the meat to the marinate, turn to coat evenly, and let stand for 10 minutes.
3. While the flank steak marinates, place the potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a oil, salt the potatoes, and cook until tender, 10-12 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the hot pot. Use a potatoe masher to mash the potatoes with the cream and wasabi to your preferred consistency and heat level. Adust the salt to taste.
4. Remove the steak from the marinade and pat dry. Grill meat for 6-7 minutes on each side, for medium-rare to medium. Let the meat rest for 5 minutes, then thinly slice on an angle against the grain.
5. While potatoes and meat cook, cut the green beans into 2-inch pieces on an angle, and place in a skillet. Add an inch or two of water, salt it, and bring to a boil. Cook the beans for 5 minutes, then drain. Return the skillet to the burner and ad the remaining vegetable oil. Heat the pan over high heat until the oil smokes. Add the beans and bell peppers and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add the remaining tamari and sesame oil, toss, and transfer to a serving dish. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Finely chop the scallions together with cilantro and lime zest.
6. Serve the meat over a mound of smashed potatoes and garnish with a generous sprinkling of chopped scallion-cilantro-lime zest. Serve the sesame-soy green beans and peppers alongside.

Hope you have all had a great weekend and managed to find some time to relax! I ran an 8km race this morning with some of my co-workers. It was a beautiful day and I had a great time running with some awesome people. What did you do this weekend? Whatever you did, hope it was great. :)

Happy Cooking my Friends!