My Valentine's Treat

I don't usually post recipes on the blog. In fact, this is a first. We all know that I don't cook, but "R" is a wonderful cook. In a recent post, I mentioned a dish that I tease about the fact that it made me fall in love with him. It is the first meal that I vividly remember him making for me when we first started dating. Clearly, the way to my heart is through my stomach. Well, I am one lucky girl tonight because he is making it as our Valentine's Day treat. So I thought that I would share it with you, in honor of the day.

Peppered Beef Filets and Balsamic Reduction
(Makes 4 servings; Total time: 40 minutes)

Coat, Sear in 2 t. olive oil:
4 beef tenderloin filets, trimmed, 2" thick (6-8 oz. each)
1/4 cup peppercorn blend, coarsely crushed Kosher salt

Deglaze with; Swirl in:
1 cup balsamic vinegar
2 T. unsalted butter, cold

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Coat both sides of filets with peppercorns and salt, then sear on 1 side in 2 T. oil in an ovenproof saute pan over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
Sear filets on their sides, then turn over, transfer pan to oven, and roast 8-9 minutes for medium-rare. Remove pan from the oven, transfer steaks to a plate, and tent with foil. Return pan to stovetop over medium-high heat.
Deglaze original pan with vinegar, simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup and the consistency of maple syrup, about 3 minutes. Swirl in butter, set aside.
Plate the filets and drizzle with sauce.There you go! The recipe from Cuisine at Home (our favorite cooking magazine) suggests serving it with garlic spinach and roasted potatoes with blue cheese and chives. We've made both side dishes before, and they are fantastic. This magazine is awesome- go get a subscription if you like to cook at home.

So we'll be celebrating at home, enjoying each other and a wondeful meal that brings back memories for me. Sounds pretty perfect to me. How do you celebrate the "holiday"?

Happy Valentine's Day to my amazing, wonderful, loving, playful, sexy, sarcastic, thoughtful, handsome, funny boyfriend. I love you, "R".