On the dinner menu at Nathan’s 30th birthday dinner party. I focused on the main part of the meal (steak and cake) and simplified everything else. Everyone went home happy. So I guess the food turned out pretty well. I have to confess. This was my first time really making fancy steak. Back when we were first married, I attempted some cheap steak. So I was nervous because people like to personalize their steak. I seasoned and prepped them. Then luckily I had the help of a food enthusiast who grilled them to perfection.
1. Garlic steak with mushrooms. This recipe I found at Publix, the grocery store.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon Montreal steak seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 pound top sirloin steak
1/3 cup butter
8 ounces whole baby portabella mushroom
1. Combine in a medium bowl, oil, garlic, steak seasoning and salt. Cut steak into four portions; add to garlic mixture, turning to coat. Let stand 10 minutes.
2. Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high 2-3 minutes. Place steak and garlic mixture in pan; cook 5 minutes (do not turn).
3. Reduce heat to medium and turn steaks; cook 6-8 more minutes or until 145˚F (for medium-rare).
4. Add butter, turning steaks to coat. Remove steaks and cover to keep warm. Add mushroom to pan and cover; cook 5-7 minutes or until tender. Serve.
2. Baked potatoes. Regular baked potatoes wrapped in foil and baked for an hour at 475˚F. To spice it up, you can make seasoned baked potatoes and simply grease the outside of the potato with soft butter and sprinkle GrillMate’s steak or chicken seasoning before wrapping it in foil. Oh, yum!
3. Simple salad. I mixed butter lettuce with baby spinach. Then grated parmesan cheese, a few croutons and dried cranberries. Served with a vinaigrette.
4. Macaroni and cheese. For the kid’s menu I served mac and cheese, tatertots, steamed vegetables (the frozen steamable bags) and juice boxes. You can use this simple healthy mac and cheese recipe.
5. Lemon cake with cream cheese frosting. I made an actual, two layered cake for Nathan to blow out the candles and to serve after dinner. Then I made a second batch of the cake, but in cupcake form to put in jars. These I used at take-home gifts for the guests. I got the idea from Rubyellen of My Cakies. Hers turned out so much better than mine though.
» Tell me… What is your fail-proof food or recipe you like to serve at a dinner party?
P.S. All next week will be skirt week here on Simply Modern Mom. Watch out for a ton of skirt tutorials!
It looks like a great menu! The cake in a jar for a take away thank you is a great idea – so cute! Thanks for the link to that site, it looks like there’s loads of great ideas there too.
Cake in a jar…neat! What a great hostess! I don’t give dinner parties, but when I have friends over I like to serve up a big pot of homemade soup or chili and a loaf of homemade bread.
Can’t wait to see the skirts. I’m currently knitting (yes, knitting) a summer skirt that my sister designed for her store. I can’t wait to wear it.
i wanna see the knitted skirt! that would be pretty cool!
oh i love the cake in the jars!! great idea!
oh shoosh. Your cupcakes in a jar look wonderful! I’m wanting to have a wee bit right now. (OK, who am I kidding? I’d like to gobble up the whole thing!)