A NEW YEAR: DAY TWO

I love steaks and potatoes.  I picked up this small piece of prime beef at Canseco’s on Metairie Road — it had my name on it!  It weighed a little under a half-pound, so instead of cutting it into a couple of medallions I decided to grill the tenderloin on my gas grill.  This was pretty much the most difficult decision I made on New Year’s Day.  Luckily, it turned out to the be right one.  I had the grill cranked up to about 400 degrees.  The tenderloin was coated in salt and pepper and slathered with olive wood-infused olive oil from Monterey’s Tasty Olive Bar (see below, which you can find and order online, and which I HIGHLY recommend).  I have a cast iron pan I use on my grill, and it was hot and ready for the beef when I put it on (love that sizzle!)  I cooked it for 5 minutes, then turned it and cooked it about 4 more minutes.  I may have cooked it literally one minute too long, but it was just about as perfect as a beef tenderloin could be, with a warm pink center.  I whipped up a Bearnaise and steamed some asparagus, and had what I consider to be just about the best comfort dinner ever.  Then, when it was midnight, I put Zelda the Rottweiler on a leash and we went outside and watched the fireworks while my Chihuahua and poodle stayed inside and almost lost their minds.