Filet Mignon, Pear Kissed Acorn Squash, and Golden Mashed Potatoes

Frugal filet mignon dinner

I love filet mignon. I usually cannot afford it when we go out. Therefore I make it at home. I made this dinner for 4 people for $35. That is about what I would pay in a restaurant for ONE person. I shopped at Costco and was able to find four filet mignon steaks for $27. The steaks are small but very thick. I coated the steaks with extra-virgin olive oil and Montreal Steak Seasoning. You could use any steak seasoning of your choice. I then left the steaks at room temperature for an hour. (This time is magical....it tenderizes the steak and makes them tasty) (Hide from cat)

I marinate in olive oil and steak seasoning.

I almost forgot the ingredients. Okay...

You Will Need

• 4 filet mignon steaks
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of Montreal Steak Seasoning
• 4 large golden (or white) potatoes
• 4 cups of chicken broth (can be made with bouillon)
• 1/2 stick of butter
• 1 heaping tablespoon of sour cream
• 1/2 (each) teaspoon of salt, garlic powder onion powder
• 1 acorn squash (looks like a big green acorn)
• 1/3 cup of pear preserves
• 1/2 cup of milk
• salt and pepper to taste

Put the steaks on the grill. Make your husband or boyfriend cook them. Now get out that acorn squash and cut it in half. Scrape out the seeds and strings with an ice cream scoop. Peel and cut your potatoes in half and then chop the half into 4 pieces. Throw the potatoes into boiling chicken broth with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, garlic powder and onion powder. Let it simmer. 

A sharp knife and an ice cream scoop makes easy work of this acorn squash. You are going to scoop out the seeds and the strings. Throw away the seed mixture. Now place these face down in a plate. Cover with wax paper. Microwave for 5 minutes. 

Now you just chop each half into four slices. Turn them face up. Pierce the slices several times with a fork. Take your pear preserves and put it in a glass measuring cup. Zap for two minutes with a paper towel over the top to protect your microwave. Now pick up the handle of the glass measuring cup with a towel...it will be hot. Pour the hot preserves over the face up slices of acorn squash. 

Now drain your potatoes when they are tender (break easily with a fork). Pour back into the pot with the butter. You now need to mash your potatoes and add your milk that you have warmed in the microwave for a minute. Taste...add salt if you need it. Add a heaping tablespoon of sour cream (I love Greek sour cream). Stir. 

Take your steaks off the grill and cover with foil for 5 minutes. 

Place the plate with pear kissed acorn squash back into the microwave for 2 minutes. You do not eat the green skin...tell others. :)  Now you can plate a delicious steak dinner for four for the price of one dinner at a nice restaurant. Set the table. Give everyone a stemmed glass. Throw the phones into a basket. Turn off the television and the computers. Now....let everyone tell two great things about their day while you eat a family dinner together.  Smile...you did good.