For their third wedding anniversary, one couple skipped the restaurant reservation and made dinner at home. The husband took charge of the cooking, and his wife walked everyone through the menu and the techniques along the way.
The evening was shared by @lougirl877 on TikTok, and it doubles as a handy guide to a simple steak dinner.
@lougirl877
The Menu
She begins by saying that her husband is going to cook a great meal for their three year anniversary. On a wooden board she lays out the ingredients, which are fresh green beans, two New York strip steaks from their local meat market, a can of biscuits and one large potato. The plan is to blanch the beans, grill the steaks with just salt and pepper, bake the biscuits, and roast the potato with chives and a dab of butter.
The Baked Potato
The potato gets oil, salt, pepper and a sprinkle of garlic powder. It is wrapped in foil and goes into a preheated 400 degree oven for anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. Her reminder is not to forget to poke holes in it.
Getting the Steak Right
She says to pat the steaks completely dry until the paper towel comes away clean, before any seasoning goes on. Then comes a tiny bit of garlic powder and plenty of salt and pepper, because steak can take it. She also seasons the edges, rolling the fat cap and sides through the salt and pepper left on the board.
On the grill, the steaks cook at the highest heat until they reach 120 degrees, then come off because they keep cooking. The goal is a final internal temperature of 130 to 135 degrees for medium rare.
Green Beans and Biscuits
The green beans are trimmed and blanched in boiling water for about two to three minutes, which keeps some crunch and a bright green color. Eight biscuits go onto a baking sheet and into a 350 degree oven for 13 to 17 minutes.
The Finished Plate
The last shot is an overhead look at the finished anniversary dinner. There are slices of medium rare steak, a loaded baked potato with sour cream and chives, green beans with a melting pat of butter, and a sliced buttered biscuit.
Anniversary Dinner Tips
- Dry the steak well, since a dry surface sears better.
- Pull the steak a little early at 120 degrees, because it will keep cooking as it rests.
- Season the edges and the fat cap, not just the flat sides.
- Poke the potato before baking, and wrap it in foil with a little oil and seasoning.
- Blanch the green beans briefly to keep them bright and crisp.
- Let one person cook while the other sets the table, and share the whole evening together.
The Science of a Good Sear
Browning on the outside of a steak comes from the Maillard reaction, a chemical change between proteins and sugars that happens at high heat and creates deep, savory flavor. Moisture is its enemy, because water on the surface has to evaporate before browning can begin. That is why patting the steak dry matters so much, and why the grill should be fully hot before the meat touches it. Resting the steak for several minutes after cooking lets the juices settle, so they stay in the meat when you slice it.
Working Backward From Dinner Time
A multi dish meal feels calm when every item finishes at the same moment. Start from the time you want to eat and count backward.
- The potato goes in first, since it takes the longest.
- Take the steaks out of the refrigerator about thirty minutes before cooking, so they are not ice cold in the center.
- Prepare the green beans ahead so they only need a quick dip in boiling water.
- Put the biscuits in the oven while the steaks cook, so they come out warm.
- Rest the steaks while the sides are plated, and serve everything together.
Small Touches for an At Home Anniversary
- Set the table properly with cloth napkins, candles and real plates to signal that this is a special evening.
- Choose music you both love and keep the volume low enough for conversation.
- Put phones in another room for the length of the meal.
- Finish with something simple, like a shared dessert or a short walk.
Common Questions
Why blanch green beans? A short dip in boiling water cooks them just enough to be tender while keeping their color. Moving them straight into ice water stops the cooking if you are not serving right away.
Why poke holes in a baked potato? The holes let steam escape while the potato bakes, which keeps it fluffy and prevents pressure from building up inside.
Credit for the original post goes to @lougirl877 on TikTok.
