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Nothing beats a well cooked steak! Tender, juicy, and sizzling ~ hard to resist!
Don’t get me wrong, I like to go out to a nice steak restaurant, but sometimes you just want to eat in, or your budget just doesn’t allow it. I’m going to show you how to have a restaurant quality steak meal on a budget.
(Back Story) We sold our house in July of 2017, with plans to build a new home. We moved out in August thinking it would only be 3-4 months to build. Weellll, (I forgot to put my Realtor hat on) it took a little longer than that! The actual building process took 6 months. However, prior to them starting, we had to go through the initial process of finding a builder, picking out floor plans, etc. and the loan process (that took longer than it should have, no fault of mine of my own, but beyond my control) which took an additional 6 months. So consequently, we were living in a temporary housing situation for a whole year! Therefore, we ate out A LOT!! I got tired of eating out! (never thought I would hear myself say that). So, when we moved into our new home, one of the first meals I cooked was steak and baked potato. It is really simple and easy cleanup, so I don’t understand why I don’t do it more often.
To Sum it Up:
- 2 Russet Potatoes @ .89/lb = $1.31
- 2 Sirloin Steaks @ 4.57 each = $9.14
- (other items already in pantry/fridge)
- Total Cost = $10.45
What you will need:
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- Oven Safe Frying Pan (and baking sheet, not pictured)
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- Simple Ingredients
Start With The Potatoes
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
If you are cooking the potatoes in the oven, you need to start them first. (On the other hand, If you are pushed for time, you can cook them in the microwave).
Cut 2 pieces of foil (or how ever many potatoes you have). Drizzle a little oil on each potato. I prefer avocado oil over olive oil, it gives it a far better taste in my opinion. Using your hands, rub the oil all over the potato (miniature manicure lol).
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- Coat with avocado oil and sprinkle with salt
Sprinkle with salt. I use a salt grinder with Himalayan pink salt (delicious!). Pierce the potatoes several times with a fork, this allows steam to escape and keeps the potato from exploding in your oven. Wrap them in foil and place them on a baking sheet. I always pierce the potatoes again at this point. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes to an hour. (depending on the size of potatoes) Using a pot holder, gently squeeze the largest potato, if it is soft, the potatoes are done.
While the Potatoes Cook, Start on Your Steak.
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- Pound the meat to tenderize.
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- Sprinkle with S&P
Meanwhile, prepare your steaks using a meat mallet (I don’t have one so I improvise and use the small plate pictured above). Pound the meat on both sides to tenderize it. Sprinkle both sides with salt and fresh ground pepper. Her again, I use my grinders, but if you don’t have grinders, you can use regular salt and pepper.
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- Add avocado oil and a little butter
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- Heat until hot and sizzling
Drizzle a little Avocado Oil in pan and add a couple pats of butter. Heat over medium high heat until the butter and oil gets nice and hot, and sizzling like the picture.
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- Flip steaks after timer goes off.
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- Add a couple pats of butter to each steak.
Add the steaks to the hot oil. The trick is to put it in the pan and do not touch it! Set timer for 7 minutes and walk away! After 7 minutes, it should be done on one side. When timer goes off, flip the steaks over. Add a couple pats of butter to each steak and put the pan in the oven for 7 more minutes. This will allow the steak to continue cooking. (it’s okay to put them in the oven with the potatoes).
PS I LOVE my square copper pan for several reasons: #1) 2 steaks fit the pan perfectly (or 4 hamburgers), #2) it’s non stick, and #3) it’s oven safe.
Let It Rest!
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- Transfer to a plate
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- Cover with foil
After cooking in the oven for 7 minutes, transfer the steaks to a plate, and add a couple more pats of butter and cover with foil. Let them sit for 5 minutes. (These steaks have been exposed to extreme heat and they need to rest).
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- Top Potato with your favorite toppings.
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- Serve with your favorite drink.
Doesn't that look delicious!?
Top your potato to your liking and serve with your favorite steak sauce (if you choose).
Being from North Carolina, I have to serve it with my favorite drink, Diet SunDrop, and don’t you just love my new crystal glasses that my sweet friend gave me?!
PS. If you live in NC, you can get the Diet SunDrop much cheaper!
Cleanup tip:
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- Line a bowl and place a paper towel inside.
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- Pour grease from steaks.
For easy clean up, I put a sheet of foil in a bowl, add a paper towel or napkin, and pour the grease from the steak onto the napkin. When the grease cools, you can wad the foil up and throw it away. (Never pour it down the drain!)
Happy cooking, and I hope you enjoy!
If you are in the Charlotte Metro and surrounding areas, or thinking about relocating to this beautiful state, contact me. I would love to help you elevate your living with home ownership!
Your Crafty Seller
Sandy Brest
