Pan Seared Strip Loin with Sautéed Mushrooms and Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

I discovered this new grocery store called Urban Fare in Kelowna and it is awesome! So many great gourmet foods and local sustainable foods as well. I found some really interesting mixed mushrooms there to go with this great looking Triple A Alberta beef strip loin. I never, ever eat red meat except on very rare occasions. This was amazing. A rare indulgence, and very easy to prepare.

What you need: (Serves 2)

2 amazing steaks of your choice
Butter
A large bunch of interesting mixed mushrooms (remember they shrink when cooked)
1/2 a large onion, sliced thinly
2 cloves of garlic minced
A sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme, chopped
Your favorite red wine
Salt and fresh cracked black pepper

IN a medium size frying pan heated on medium. add a knob of butter to your pan and when hot and melted add you onions and saute until they just start to brown.
ADD your garlic, rosemary and mushrooms and cook until they become tender and their moisture has evaporated. Add a big glug of red wine and reduce until you have a nice saucy consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm in the oven until your steak is done.

I use a big griddle pan to make my steak but you could do them on the BBQ or just in a frying pan if you like. Just make sure you season them well with salt and pepper on each side and that your pan is nice and hot before you add them so they form a nice crust. I cook mine on medium-high or so for about 5 minutes a side for medium rare depending on how thick they are. Mine were pretty thick.

For the Potatoes just peel about 4 potatoes and dice them roughly. Add them to a pot of boiling water until tender. Drain and add a handful of Parmesan cheese, a big knob of butter, a few glugs of olive oil and some salt and pepper. Mash them up really good and your done! Simple and soooo good!