A Cast Iron Dinner

My husband I have an agreement… I do all the meal planning, shopping and cooking. He cleans up the kitchen. I consider this a pretty fair deal.

This afternoon after perusing my new cookbook, “Cook It In Cast Iron,” I decided on two staples for dinner – steak and potatoes – not that uncommon for a Montana farm girl. On Black Friday, I had selected two Staub cast iron skillets at our local Olivelle store. I seriously couldn’t resist the amazing price on these two pieces of French cookware. While I’ve been using them pretty religiously, I hadn’t yet followed any recipes specifically for cast iron cooking, until today.

Just a week ago, we picked up 1/4 beef from a local butcher, purchased from a local farmer, and I was ready to try out the steak. I selected a sirloin early this morning expecting to turn the grill on outside despite the 6″ of fresh snow but the Steaks with Herb Butter seemed to be the right choice for tonight.

Thick Cut Steaks with Herb Butter (serves 4)

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and

Home Fries

1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled, cut in 3/4 inch pieces
5 tbls. avocado oil (the recipe calls for vegetable, but avocado is my newfound choice)
salt and pepper
1/2 -1 onion, chopped fine
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 tbls. minced fresh chives Read More


It’s Launch Day…

I am a wife, mother, and a teacher. We have learned to especially love traveling after living 8 years in South Korea, Germany and Belgium. With two grown children, we now share our home with two furry friends who have the pleasure of joining us at the lake, hiking, or cross country skiing. But what is my passion? Making my house a home, being creative in the kitchen, and sharing them both my friends and family. Every time we host an event, whether it be Christmas dinner, a causal gathering, or an Oktoberfest party, the guests almost always comment on my ability to comfortably entertain.  They often say I have the ability to make it look easy. While I take great pride in delivering a tasty and sophisticated event, it has taken a lot of years and practice to get to the point of making it “look” easy. After all, we all know it requires organization, prior planning and the ability to cook does help a bit… I want to show you how easy it can be.

Whether it is home decor, designing tablescapes, cooking, baking, sending caramels to friends near & far, or sewing curtains & pillows, I enjoy creating and sharing it all. The result… Montana’s Mountain Maven.

This blog is designed to share recipes, creative ideas, connect you to the resources I enjoy and to collaborate with my readers to find even more fun ways to make our homes a special place.

I hope you find inspiration that encourages you to share life, your home, and your gifts with those you love. There can be much joy found around the dining room table and it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive when your heart is in embedded in your offering.  I thank you for joining us and I look forward to our journey ahead.

Blessings,
Tina

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. ~ Proverbs 24:3-4 (NIV)

 

Copyright © 2019 Montana Mountain Maven / Tina R. Cusker. All rights reserved.