Bitter no longer...

I used to be very bitter about Valentine's Day. Every single year I have been single and had no one to celebrate the holiday made for lovers with except for two years. The first year I was in a relationship on this elusive holiday I was unable to celebrate it because I was out of town on installing 3 homes in Casa Grande, Arizona. Last year I was in a relationship and was able to celebrate the holiday and it was the WORST date of my life. So you can see my bitterness.

Last night Ira and I decided to celebrate this holiday with one another even though we aren't necessarily together.

It was great. I fixed an experimental dinner that consisted of a pan seared filet with a red-wine sauce and haricot vert. Below is the recipe:

Pan-Seared Filet with Red-Wine Sauce

2 filets (about 1.5 inches thick)

1/2 cup low sodium beef broth

1/8 cup cooking red wine

1 tablespoon miced shallots

1 teaspoon flour

1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard

1 tablespoon miced flat leaf parsley

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

salt and pepper

In a bowl mix broth, red wine, shallots, flour and mustard.

Heat a heavy-duty skillet over medium-high heat. Season steaks with salt and pepper then sear for 3 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Transfer to plate and tent with foil.

Pour sauce mixture into hot skillet and bring to boil for 1 minute. Stir in parsley and butter and boil for 2 minutes.

Pour sauce over steaks and serve.

Haricot Vert

3/4 lb skinny green beans, trimmed

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 minced shallot

1/2 cup grape tomatoes

1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Prepare an ice water bath.

Boil water in a larger pot then add green beans and cook for 2 minutes. Drain beans and plunge into ice bath to stop cooking.

I a skillet heat butter over medium heat. Add shallots and saute for 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook 2 minutes. Add beans, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Cook 5 minutes.

Serve with filet.

Here is the painting that I finished. Super excited how it turned out!

Here are a couple funny photos to leave you smiling...