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So let's talk about date night. No, I'm not talking about going out on the town. I'm talking about THE really special evenings when you want to cook an amazing meal for the person you love. Yourself. The kind of meal that says "I love you, I really really do." In my world, cooking a 2-inch filet mignon is the language of love.
Relationship status? Not complicated.
Cast Iron Filet Mignon + Buttered Wine Mushrooms
Filet Mignon just sounds fancy, doesn't it? But it isn't. Don't get me wrong, it is a really (really) lovely cut of beef. If you translate the words "filet mignon" into English, it just means thick slice and dainty. Trust me, my cow didn't come from France, ya'll. To me, this is country cooking at its finest.
There's nothing dainty about our Cast Iron Filet Mignon + Buttered Wine Mushrooms. (Oh yes. Butter + wine. Get the how-to for drunken mushrooms slathered in butter at the bottom of this post.)
The best way I have ever found to prepare a filet mignon is simple. It is recipe-free cooking. Especially when you use my secret weapon. No, I'm not talking about my trust cast iron pan Lucille. That isn't very secret. I'm talking about the NEW McCormick Blends.
I have used McCormick products all of my life, haven't you? Since I was a kid, I can remember the little square tin cans of spices and seasonings in my grandmother's cabinet, in my family's pantry, and now, I use them daily in my own home. (And now I get to work with them to tell you all about their new products. I am living the dream!!) McCormick inspires a love of home cooking and empowers all cooks through flavor.
So when I discovered their new McCormick Himalayan Pink Salt, Black Pepper & Garlic All Purpose Seasoning, I knew EXACTLY what I was going to use it for.
To create a the salt + pepper crust for the filet mignon, I used a generous amount of the Himalayan Pink Salt + Pepper blend. You can see the flavor in this seasoning, as they are crafted with transparent ingredients. And there's no guesswork on mixing and matching spices. Trust McCormick with that part, they know what they are doing.
You can find the entire McCormick Blends collection at your local Walmart:
- McCormick Basil, Oregano, Garlic & Sea Salt
- McCormick Crushed Red Pepper, Oregano & Garlic
- McCormick Garlic, Herb, Black Pepper & Sea Salt
- McCormick Garlic, Onion, Black Pepper & Sea Salt
- McCormick Himalayan Pink Salt, Black Pepper & Garlic
Looking for the perfect side dish for this Date Night meal?
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Baked Lemon Rice
Buttery Spinach Angel Hair Pasta
Now, back to our date with this meat. To prepare this meal you have to start with a smoking hot cast iron skillet. You are smoking hot. Your date is smoking hot. So your skillet has to be smoking hot, too.
Seriously, use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet and heat it on high for 5 minutes before you put anything in it. You want the hot iron to sear a crust on the seasoned filet mignon.
Trust me, this recipe goes quickly. Get the complete step-by-step instructions on how to create the ultimate Date Night Dining Experience in 30 minutes or less. That's right. More time for smooching. And everyone loves smooching.
Some of you may be thinking...filet mignon is spendy. Yes, yes it is. But you will throw $20 out the window just pulling out of your driveway if you are going out to eat. Spend the evening at home. Do what you love to do. Enjoy this fuss-free fine dining, then snuggle up with a bottle of wine and watch your favorite movies.
Cast Iron Filet Mignon + Buttered Wine Mushrooms is the perfect splurge meal for:
- Newlyweds Who Want to Celebrate
- Married Couples Who FINALLY Have the House Alone
- Anyone Who Loves to Cook for Two
Just look at this. The darkened salt + pepper seasoned crust. Can't you just imagine what is inside? (No worries, it is perfection.) Pan searing your steak locks in the moisture. Two minutes per side is all you need to do. Then pop the skillet in the oven until desired doneness is achieved.
*Cooking times will vary based on how your oven cooks. See complete suggestions at the bottom of this post.
Click here for more ideas and inspiration on how to use the New McCormick Blends to create easy recipes you will love. (And that your special someone will love YOU for.)
Ok, here's the last gratuitous picture of this recipe. (Sorry, this one was so fun to photograph. I may turn it into a calendar.)
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📖 Recipe
Cast Iron Filet Mignon + Buttered Wine Mushrooms (How to do Date Night Right)
Ingredients
- 1 pound filet mignon steaks cut 2 inches thick, trimmed
- 1 ½ TB McCormick Himalyan Pink Salt Seasoning Blend
- 8 oz baby portabello mushrooms washed, dried and sliced
- 1 stick of butter cut into 1 TB size pieces
- ¾ cup dry red wine Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2 teaspoon olive oil divided
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 degrees.
- Allow the filet mignon steaks to reach room temperature. Pat dry with paper towels. Lightly rub both sides of the filet with ½ teaspoon of the olive oil. Generously coat both sides with the McCormick seasoning blend. Use your hand to press the salt + pepper blend into the meat.
- Heat a cast iron skillet on the stove top on HIGH heat for 5 minutes. You want the skillet very hot. (Open a window or two and turn on the oven exhaust before starting. This will create quite a bit of smoke, but no worries. You aren't burning it.)
- When the skillet is hot, add the remaining olive oil to the pan and swirl it to coat.
- Place the filet mignon in the pan and cook for 1 ½ minutes. Don't touch them. Flip and cook the other side for 1 ½ minutes.
- Remove from the stove top and place 2 TB of butter on top of each steak. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook uncovered. Cooking times will vary based on your oven size and steak size, but generally 8 minutes = rare, 9 = medium rare, 10 = medium. I do not recommend cooking a filet mignon any more done than that, so you are on your own after that.
- Transfer the filet to a dish and cover loosely with foil and let rest.
- You will likely have some burnt bits in the pan. I recommend wiping out the pan before the next step.
- In the same pan, melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Stir in a pinch or two of the McCormick seasoning blend. Whisk in the wine. Bring to a low boil, stirring frequently.
- Add the mushrooms, reduce heat, and simmer until the mushrooms are tender.
Adriana Lopez Martin
Wow this is mouthwatering love every detail on this dish. I need to organize a romantic dinner for two soon! Thanks for your participation on this shop ~ client