Inspiration

I feel lucky to have so many wonderful friends. In the middle of a crisis with the man I love, who may or may not want to be with me,  amazing women came to see me and stayed for dinner. Tonight it was a friend who is a a few years older and has always been an inspiration to me, mainly from the career side but also from the 'get a life' side.  She's the CEO of a $200M business, a wife, a mom, and a hip well-dressed interesting woman.  We had a perfect evening catching up, drinking wine and eating the mediocre steak that I cooked. During our conversations, I appreciated her candidness and honestly. Her challenging questions and her willingness to listen were welcome. We spent some time discussing the 'what's next' question, which I have realized looms above you wherever you are in life. Even when you reach the point where you can honestly admit that you have everything you want in your life, that's when you start wondering what's next?  Tonight what's next was just some steak and  mushroom ragout then some Magnolia cupcakes with really good wine. Sometimes a good pinot noir and cupcakes with a close friend are all you need.


I enjoy showing off my apartment and having people for dinner. Tonight it was exciting to share this space with someone who has known me since I had a dive apartment with two roommates in Boston and she had something similar with two roommates in North London.  We've both struggled and come through the other end. This evening, I felt present in my life. Everything about my living space is what I had hoped to have. To be able to share the space and a piece of my life with such a good friend over a comfortable meal, it is recognizably special for me.  We talked about what we wanted out of life. She really challenged me, in a good way, about whether or not I wanted to leave NYC and move to a life in another city that may be drastically different from here and now.

After much discussion, my thoughts still come down to the fact that you cant help who you fall in love with.  When you do it's so much better than you thought, yet not without some challenges. There's all the stuff that is just different, which makes you consider your priorities and how you live your life. It's not a bad thing, it's just an adjustment.  It pushes me to expand my possibilities and to dream bigger.

We listened to more mellow jazz at dinner this evening. One can never go wrong with Sade. Her instantly recognizable smooth and sultry voice never fails as soothing background music.  Of course it's even better for solo crying sessions and romantic evenings, but her music works even with friendly company.  I had a mix on that has a few of her songs.  My favorite albums are Love Deluxe and Promise.  For dinner music, Lovers Rock has less heartache. If you never know what to listen to, alone or with guests, ANY Sade album will do. Instantly life will be better, even if the song is about lost love.  Sade has been a constant in my life since high-school. She helped me though my teenage years and then through college and even those rocky twentysomehting love affairs.  When I listen to one of her albums it becomes my  lifeblood. Every lyric and every melody has coursed through my body at one time or another.  I want to quote some lyrics here, but I cant decide between "Lovers Rock" which is about the person who is the constant and always there for you, or "No Ordinary Love", which is about giving everything you have to someone you love who may not return it.  Here's a mash-up.

I am in the wilderness
You are in the music
In the man's car next to me
Somewhere in my sadness
I know I won't fall apart completely

And in all this
And in all my life

You are the lovers rock
The rock that I cling to
You're the one
The one I swim to in a storm
Like a lovers rock

I keep crying 

I keep trying for you
There's nothing like you and I baby

This is no ordinary love
No ordinary Love
This is no ordinary love
No ordinary Love

When you came my way
You brightened every day
With your sweet smile

Didn't I tell you
What I believe
Did somebody say that
A love like that won't last
Didn't I give you
All that I've got to give baby


Beef Filet Mignon with Mustard and Herb Crust from The Little Black Apron (page 128)
Serves 1 ( I just doubled it for 2)
Total time 30 minutes

1 Tbsp whole grain or Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Filet Mignon (4 - 6 oz)

Heat over to 400
Combine mustard, garlic and herbs in a bowl
Season both sides of the beef liberally with salt and pepper then coat with mustard mixture
Place the filet o a baking sheet or small oven-safe baking dish.
Roast meat for 12 to 15 minutes or until desired doneness

This was OK, but I think the issue was my piece of beef. We stopped that local grocery store and the only had pre-packaged beef. They were out of Filet Mignon so I bought a London Broil for no reason other than it was the thicket piece available. Next time, I will to go a proper butcher counter and spend the dollars to get a nice Filet Mignon.  The mustard crust was perfect. I served the beef with the following mushroom ragout and some sauteed spinach.  The mushroom dish was delicious, if you like mushrooms.  Luckily we both did.

Mushroom Ragout from The Little Black Apron (page 81)
Serves 2
Total time 15 minutes

1/2 Tbsp butter or olive oil
3 cups assorted mushrooms, slices into 1/4 pieces
1 shallot, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced or pressed
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
2 Tbsp white wine
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste

Melt the butter or heat the olive oil over medium hear in a 10" skillet
Add mushrooms and saute for 5 min or until mushrooms begin to soften
Add the shallots to the mushrooms and cook until shallots are translucent about 2-3 min
Add the garlic and cook until fragrant about 10 secs
Add the wine and broth
Let liquids cook down and evaporate until pan is almost dry
Stir in thyme and season with salt and pepper

This was so good, yet simple. We devoured it.  I will make it again. Obviously a nice side for some beef.  

We drank a nice wine this evening,  a 2010 Signaterra Pinot Noir, Bella Luna from Benziger winery. When you decide to cook and eat a nice piece of beef, do not diminish the experience with bad wine.  Our piece of beef was a bit disappointing, but with this smooth wine it didn't matter.