Phase Two in the "try a recipe from my new cookbooks week" is Steakhouse Steaks from The Barefoot Contessa. Before I delve into this beefy subject, I have two news items.
1. Mary and Steve are in Utah, visiting their #3 child (of blind delivery fame) and are touring several fabulous National Parks - Moab, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon - and today (during one of the few moments she actually had cell service) Mary sent me this photo:

Let's move on now to tonight's recipe - Steakhouse Steaks from Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That?: Fabulous Recipes & Easy Tips
. Tonight's recipe is a double trial, as I am also testing a new skillet. I am trying to steer away from Teflon pans because of the possible/who knows? toxicity from the chemicals used in the non-stick surface. More controversy, but you have hopefullyprobably read this website long enough to know I am pretty-much into eating real food and if I cook real food on a toxic surface, it probably defeats the purpose of purchasing real food. I do not want to get political. You all know I love my organic stuff and you all know I will also hit an In-N-Out whenever possible. I just want as much control over what I consume as possible. So, I purchased a Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron Skillet
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Ms. Garten's recipe calls for beef tenderloin - saturated in fleur de sel and freshly cracked black pepper - seared on all sides, then finished in the oven. It is a simple recipe and a method I use whenever we do not opt for steak on the grill.








The only thing I would suggest in this recipe is to REDUCE THE SALT. Dang, The Contessa LOVES HER SALT. I own every single one of her cookbooks and her recipes never fail. I love me some salt, but the woman uses too much salt in nearly every recipe. Seriously, I do not even want to know her blood pressure.
After the skillet cooled a bit, I set it in the sink and gave it a squirt of dishwashing liquid and a splash of hot water. After dinner, it didn't take a minute to wash the pan. The jury is still out on the Le Creuset skillet.
Stay tuned for the omelet test. Oy vey.
I went to the doctor about my chest cold. Seems I am going to live. I even hopped on my beloved treadmill for two slow miles. The weatherman suggests the predicted week of rain is now only a predicted five days of rain and we will see 70° by Friday.
Place your bets!
Tomorrow I am making gnocchi. I haven't made gnocchi in several years. Hope I can still remember how.
Until my next update, I remain, your salty-yet-satisfied correspondent.