I'm not a big fan of sweet desserts. Given the option, I'd choose another helping of mashed potatoes over death by chocolate. But every now and then I want something sweet. A few weeks ago, it was pineapple upside down cake.
I ran to the store and picked up a box of pineapple upside down cake, a jar of maraschino cherries, and a can of pineapple rings -- then got to work. Much to my dismay, I hadn't noticed that the mix called for a box of vanilla pudding and that's not something I have in my pantry!
Thank goodness for Google. I started reviewing posts on substitution options - several of which said there is no substitution for pudding mix but I did NOT want to go back to the store so I kept at it. Finally, I hit on a post that sounded reasonable.
For the pudding mix, I substituted:
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla
It was without a doubt, the BEST pineapple upside down cake ever. I will use that substitution any time a recipe calls for pudding mix.
I talked to my neice, Laura, on the way home from work today. She's about 32 weeks pregnant and was telling me about her food cravings. She said up until now, they were the typical ... REALLY want a steak, or REALLY want cherry pie filling ...
Now, however, she said she REALLY wants steak WITH cherry pie filling.
I did a little research and here's what I'm making for dinner. Wish you could be here, Laura!
Filet Mignon with Cherry Vanilla Sauce
Fire up the grill and crank some freshly ground pepper over filets.
For the sauce:
In a saucepan, combine just over a cup of Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon (I used the Noir) with:
A couple tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Half of a vanilla bean (that your co-worker brought you directly from Madagascar - or some other vanilla bean you can scrape up)
A couple whole cloves
A couple whole peppercorns
A bay leaf
About 20 cherries
A squirt of honey
Salt and pepper
Gorgonzola butter:
Mash together about 2 tablespoons of gorgonzola with a tablespoon of butter. Set aside.
Simmer until the liquid is reduced to a light syrupy consistency. Grill steaks, top with blue cheese butter, and let rest for 5 minutes.
Strain sauce through a seive. Put gorgonzola butter on the steak and drizzle over the steaks.
I also sauteed spinach and garlic in some EVOO, fried up some potato slices and made a radish, onion, cucumber salad (not shown).
