Homemade Steakhouse Dinner

Hi everyone! Thanks for sharing all your ideas on how you deal with “HUNGRY DAYS” on my last post.  I LOVE hearing all the ideas and I think that boosting protein, fruits/veggies wins along with JUST GOING WITH THE CRAVING so you don’t eat everything else in site. 

I also think Corinne’s idea on how to identify the TYPE of hunger really makes sense and I can say it’s SO TRUE for me too!

“The other thing I notice is when I’m ‘itching’ to have ‘something’…but I don’t know what it is – that is often emotional – and more than not as a result of procrastination”

Anyway….you all helped give me some great ideas so I can tackle my hungry days with success the next time I want to eat everything in site! So, thanks for that

 

This morning I decided to give another one of the Weight Watchers New Breakfasts a try that the peeps over at Weight Watchers sent me to review.  I know some of my favorite WW followers LOVE these wraps so I was actually pretty excited to try them.

I STILL think the ingredient lists should be short ~ tortilla (5 ingredients), cheese, egg, sausage, done!

I have to say I was a little bummed when I realized I didn’t get to eat EVERYTHING in the box. 

But, that quickly changed when I saw that ONE serving included 2 burritos for 6 points+.

I LOVED these mini burritos.  You can actually taste everything in them ~ the egg, cheese and sausage.  I dunked them in Sriracha and had some pineapple/strawberries on the side to help fill me up.

My breakfast kept me full for 4 hours ~ pretty good for a frozen meal in my opinion.  I had planned on going out for a walk so I snacked on my last Banana Muffin (4 points+)

The ONLY thing about the walk ~ um, it was RAINING as soon as I walked outside.  The Husband asked if I would bring him lunch so I traded in my lunchtime plans for Subway.

I got a 6 inch Turkey AVOCADO on Parmesan Herb Bread with all the fixin’s, no cheese, no mayo or oil….just veggies, vinegar and AVOCADO! (6 points+)

Plus a side of crunch!

3 points+ for the entire bag.

I am really glad I had a late lunch because it gave me the WANT POWER to JUST SAY NO!!!

I was in charge of our monthly Birthday Celebration today at work and I picked up ICE CREAM CUPCAKES for everyone!

Not just any ice cream cupcakes ~ Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream Cupcakes…by the way, it’s a chocolate shell filled with cake, ice cream and frosting!

I did my research and found out the one I wanted (in pink) was 11 points+ ~ WOW!  I pondered it, I really did….I mean, these cupcakes are 200 million % worth the 11 points+, but, it just wasn’t in my budget for the day and I can get them ANY time.

My decision……why not WAIT until I plan it into my points+ and then I can savor every bite without guilt.  I honestly think things taste better that way and this wasn’t a once in a lifetime thing….You can buy them ANY DAY!

I also picked up ice cream cookie sandwiches (13 points+ each) for those who didn’t want the cupcakes.  I was ready to JUST SAY NO when my co-worker had a great idea…..

She cut a cookie into 4 and I decided for 3 points+, it was WORTH IT!  You know what….it was PERFECT….the BEST doughy, dense cookie I’ve ever had and I got to participate too without killing my points+ budget.

I really wanted to save my points+ and stay within my daily target because tonight’s dinner was STEAKHOUSE NIGHT!!!  The Husband was pretty excited because he has been waiting for his “steak dinner” ever since Valentine’s day and honestly I think if I snuck in another healthy thing (like the Mac n Cheese), he might not talk to me anymore

You can find ALL THE RECIPES for tonight’s dinner HERE!  I watched Alex’s Day Off on Sunday morning and was drooling over everything she made.  Below I have included how I "lightened them up”.

For those that thought the Fire Cracker Chicken was a lot of work, this dinner was A LOT of work to me so I get it LOL.

I started out making up the fancy Maitre D’ Butter (subbing thyme for parsley because it’s what I had on hand.  Next time, I’d use parsley)

I wasn’t the “pro” at rolling it into a log, but, it works.

Then, I got to work on the dish I thought I wanted the most ~ STUFFED MUSHROOMS!

I cute the oil in half and drizzled 1 Tbsp EVOO over the thyme sprig to “fry” it.

Remove the thyme sprig and sauté your onion until soft.

Add garlic and cumin.

Then, chopped mushroom stems.

WHITE WINE!!! The “secret” ingredient.

The BIGGEST things to remember here is to make sure your temperature is super low so that when you add the sour cream, it doesn’t curdle. 

I used this FAT FREE sour cream from Trader Joe’s.

I LOVE how thick it is and I am not even a sour cream fan….it’s almost like cream cheese thick.

Add in parmesan cheese and your “fried” thyme.  Simmer on low until the sour cream “melts” over the mushroom mixture.

Meanwhile, “fry” your mushroom caps in 2 Tbsp butter….I cut it in half, but, think you could really even use just 1 Tbsp. 

After they are “browned” you add more WHITE WINE!!! Cook for 5 minutes, drain and let cool.

Stuff each mushroom with your creamy mushroom mix and top with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 for 8 minutes, but, I actually went for 12 minutes trying to get them browned on top…it never happened.

While I was working on the mushrooms, I GRILLED the steaks in the RAIN   Told ya….I will do that to NOT have another dish to wash.

Simply seasoned with coarse sea salt and black pepper.

The Husband had a 2 lb T-Bone Steak and LOVED it ~ yeah!!! He thinks it’s his birthday or something though because after dinner, he said, he should get a massage too

My steak was Tri Tip (lean sirloin) ~ 3 ounces = 3 points+ topped with 1 Tbsp Fancy Butter (3 points+)

3 delicious stuffed mushrooms.  You really can TASTE it ALL ~ the wine, the butter, the parmesan, the bread crumbs, the mushrooms…..they are rich and decadent! (4 points+)

I CANNOT believe I have NEVER, EVER tried Grilled Romaine before in my life.  This might be my FAVORITE new way to have salad…..I always thought it would taste kinda funky, wilted and soggy, but, that isn’t the case at all.

It stays crisp and gets a nice smoky flavor.  I didn’t follow her recipe for the Grilled Romaine Salad.

Instead, I drizzled each half with 2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, course sea salt and black pepper.  Then, I grilled it for 2-3 minutes on each side and ate it straight up…nothing else was needed ~ AMAZING! (2 points+)

THE BEST part of dinner ~ The Husband was so happy he did all the dishes and I made a lot of them while cooking this meal

FREE CHIPOTLE ALERT!!!!

If you have a Facebook account, head on over HERE to “Like” Americas Next Great Restaurant, watch the 1:31 minute video and get your coupon for BUY 1 GET 1 FREE CHIPOTLE!!!  Um, you pretty much know there is Chipotle in my future soon!

Q’s

What are you BEST salad ideas?

I have to say I always try to make a rainbow of colors in my salad then add a few “treats” like nuts, avocado or cheese to make it complete.  But, I am thinking there are A LOT of possibilities for GRILLED ROMAINE SALADS…..caesar, or wedge type topped with BACON or maybe fruit, nuts and balsamic drizzle…..I cannot wait to try it more ways!

1 MORE DAY!!!

Night all!