Artichokes boiling in lemon infused water
Getting the grill ready for the "searing of the meat"
"Floor Interview"
Main entree....complete and ready to eat
Side dish/appetizer....unreal
Beautiful "table scape" as Sandra Lee would put it
Describing the meal to us.....JUDGEMENT!
So we had our official "Not So Mundane Monday" Iron Chef and, to say the least, it was more than we could have hoped for. The secret ingredient which kicked-off this adventure was artichokes. We placed the fresh (and canned) artichokes in a decorative box and unveiled them to our chef in a very Iron Chef"isque" way. The next evening, while the chef was busy at work, the smells filled the house. We didn't want to get overconfident, as we had with the roasted chicken. You might remember (last blog), the house smelled unbelievable that night as well. But, we were hopeful.
The menu: Baked artichokes stuffed with a Gorgonzola cheese mixture and beef tenderloin laying on top of a crusted baguette with an artichoke spread. For the baked artichokes stuffed with Gorgonzola: they were boiled in water infused with lemons. Then flash dried in the freezer. The insides were then pulled out, carefully, and the cheese mixture was placed inside. A breadcrumb mixture was scattered on top, and then the dish went into the oven to bake. It was unbelievable. The artichokes browned and crispy from the baking garnered a very unique flavor, not to mention the ooey gooey cheese overflowing was a nice touch. We pulled the leaves off, and dipped them in the cheese mixture. To be honest, none of us (but one) had ever eaten an artichoke like that (pulling the leaves off and literally scraping the "meat" off the leave with our teeth....you don't actually eat the leaf--just the "meat" on the leaf. Did you know that?). It was so adventurous! The main dish: the tenderloin was seasoned with only salt and pepper (all it needed, believe us) then seared on both sides, and placed in the oven to cook until a medium temperature was reached. The baguette were crisped under the broiler, and the artichoke spread (with mayo, garlic, a several unique herbs including Cayenne pepper) was spread over the bread. The meat was then sliced, thinly, and placed on top of the mixture/bread with arugula. They were like little "mini" sandwiches. Yummo!
Dinner was just fabulous and definitely lived up to the "Not So Mundane Monday's" mission. Which is: spending time together with friends you care about, and having a blast being "different" while doing so. Oh, and keeping what normally is a mundane Monday to a higher standard.
The menu: Baked artichokes stuffed with a Gorgonzola cheese mixture and beef tenderloin laying on top of a crusted baguette with an artichoke spread. For the baked artichokes stuffed with Gorgonzola: they were boiled in water infused with lemons. Then flash dried in the freezer. The insides were then pulled out, carefully, and the cheese mixture was placed inside. A breadcrumb mixture was scattered on top, and then the dish went into the oven to bake. It was unbelievable. The artichokes browned and crispy from the baking garnered a very unique flavor, not to mention the ooey gooey cheese overflowing was a nice touch. We pulled the leaves off, and dipped them in the cheese mixture. To be honest, none of us (but one) had ever eaten an artichoke like that (pulling the leaves off and literally scraping the "meat" off the leave with our teeth....you don't actually eat the leaf--just the "meat" on the leaf. Did you know that?). It was so adventurous! The main dish: the tenderloin was seasoned with only salt and pepper (all it needed, believe us) then seared on both sides, and placed in the oven to cook until a medium temperature was reached. The baguette were crisped under the broiler, and the artichoke spread (with mayo, garlic, a several unique herbs including Cayenne pepper) was spread over the bread. The meat was then sliced, thinly, and placed on top of the mixture/bread with arugula. They were like little "mini" sandwiches. Yummo!
Dinner was just fabulous and definitely lived up to the "Not So Mundane Monday's" mission. Which is: spending time together with friends you care about, and having a blast being "different" while doing so. Oh, and keeping what normally is a mundane Monday to a higher standard.
We have a week to decide what our next adventure will be. Until then......A La Cuisine!
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