Happy Valentine's Day!

Our first married Valentine's Day :)

Blue Cheese Filet Mignon over Thyme-Infused Mashed Potatoes
served with Broiled Lobster Tail and Garlic Green Beans

3 yellow potatoes
1 lb green beans
butter (3/4 stick, divided)
1/2 + 3/4 + 1/2 c low sodium beef broth
1 T EVOO
1 head garlic, minced
1 onion, minced
2 filet mignon
2 lobster tails
3 T fresh thyme
1/2 c heavy cream
1/4 c almond milk
1/2 c parmesean
1/2 c pinot noir
1/2 c + 1/4 c blue cheese
1/4 c panko crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 350. Bring large pot of water to a boil, add potatoes, and boil until tender. Remove from water, let cool slightly, and remove skin. In small pot, heat 1 T butter, and sautee 3 cloves garlic, 1/4 onion, and 1 T thyme. Once onions are translucent, add potatoes, heavy cream, almond milk, 1/2 c beef broth, and S&P. Mash until desired consistency. Add 1/4 c blue cheese and 1/2 c Parmesan.

2. In a small dutch oven, sautee 4 cloves garlic and 1/4 onion in 1 T EVOO and 1 T butter. Once translucent, add 1/2 c wine and 3/4 c broth. Simmer until reduced to 1/2 c.

3. Meanwhile, heat 1/2 T butter and 1 T EVOO in skillet. Add 1/2 onion and 3 cloves garlic, sautee until translucent. Add green beans (cleaned and ends discarded) and sautee until slightly soft but still crispy. Add 1/2 c broth and simmer until reduced.

4.  Oil grill pan and heat. Sear steaks on all sides (about 30 s per side). Once seared, put pan in oven and cook for approximately 15 minutes (until slightly under desired doneness).

5. Using kitchen shears, slice down center of underbelly shell. Brush exposed meat with EVOO and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on silpat and baking sheet, exposed side up.

6. Mix panko breadcrumbs and remaining blue cheese in bowl. 

7. Once steaks are done, preheat broiler. Place steaks on baking sheet with lobster, and top steaks with blue cheese mixture. Put 6" under broiler. Remove steaks after 3-4 minutes (topping should be bubbly), then remove lobsters after 6-8 minutes (3-4 additional minutes). Shell should be bright red.

8. Serve mashed potatoes topped with steaks and lobster, then covered in wine sauce. Accompany with green beans. ... and don't forget to smooch your Valentine! :)