Steak Bites!

So first of all, credit where credit is due: this delish recipe comes from one of my favorite websites, The Pioneer Woman. (see her link on my list to the right and visit her site, you will love it!) I ran across this one the other day and described it to my husband, the Southern steak-hound. To say he was interested in having me make it is putting it mildly; I think he would have eaten it for breakfast that day if I suggested it. But I am a civilized girl and I made him wait until dinnertime. To say this recipe is simple and easy and wonderful is a Major Understatement. In terms of ingredients, all you need is this:

and (sorry all you vegetarians out there), one of these:

some of this:

A bowl of this:

and the recipe doesn't call for it but I was starting to feel nutritionally guilty, so I also cooked up some of this on the side:

I have included the actual recipe below, but basically you are searing little chunks of excellent steak in butter for about one minute -- just enough to be seared on the outside and medium rare on the inside - and when you are done you pour the browned, steak-infused butter over the pile of steak bites. Which you then eat with torn pieces of fresh bread to sop up the butter, and a little broccoli on the side to convince yourself you are being healthy.

Once you are done with this nirvana of a dinner, your husband will have an expression on his face that looks something like this:

And he will then dance with you on the patio to a Martina McBride song and then clean up the kitchen. Life doesn't get too much better than that....

STEAK BITES

• One sirloin steak (it would also be good with filet)
• Coarse Salt
• Fresh Ground Pepper
• Butter

1. Trim off all obvious fat from steak. Cut steak into strips less than one inch wide, rotate strips and cut into one inch pieces. Continue to trim off fat and gristle.

2. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper and toss the meat around to distribute seasonings.

3. Turn on your stove's ventilation fan. (Trust me on this. You will thank me later).

4. Heat a heavy skillet to medium high to high, and add two tablespoons of butter. Let the butter melt and then brown.

5. Add meat in a single layer -- as much as you can fit without crowding it. It should sizzle loudly if the pan is hot enough. Don't move it for 30-45 seconds so it can brown and sear on one side.

6. Using a spatula, flip it over and sear for another 30 seconds on the other side. You want to sear the outside without letting the inside cook too much.

7. Remove the meat to a shallow bowl and repeat with the remaining steak, adding more butter as you go.

8. When all the meat is done, pour all that browned butter left in the pan over the meat.

9. Serve with torn up bread to mop up the juices and a token green vegetable to soothe your conscience.

10. When done eating, dance to any of the following with your true love: Martina McBride, Frank Sinatra, James or Livingston Taylor or any slow Joe Cocker song. Be happy.