Date Night Steak Dinner At Home

Winter is my time to hibernate. Darkness descends before the workday is done and the snowy, cold nights make me want to stay inside my warm and cozy home. Who wants to put on a down jacket, winter boots, wooly hat and gloves to skid across town for date night at a restaurant? Not I. Especially if I can easily replicate one of my favorite dishes right at home Beef Tenderloin With Blue Cheese. Granted, the kids may join us for this special meal, but my daughter loves anything with blue cheese and my son would eat steak every night if he could. Plus, I’m not paying a sitter to sit on my couch. Win-win, right? Some roast asparagus and a baked potato make perfect accompaniments to this special meal (along with something dark and chocolate for dessert). That’s my perfect recipe for a happy, hibernating date night "in".
To get started, gather the main ingredients -- steaks, blue cheese, butter, chives & Dijon mustard.

Heat a gas grill to medium-high (or a charcoal grill until coals are ash-white). What?!!? Grilling in winter can and does happen at our home, but you could also use a grill-pan indoors. I like to rub the grates with an oil-soaked paper towel to clean them and reduce any potential sticking.

Rub steaks with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. I like using coarse salt and freshly ground pepper for that steak-house look (and it’s easier to see that it’s evenly seasoned).

Chop the chives. I find a pair of kitchen shears snip the chives with ease.

Place into a small bowl with the softened butter. I like using unsalted butter to balance the naturally salty flavor of the blue cheese.

Add the Dijon mustard and crumbled blue cheese and mix well.

All mixed and ready to top the steaks…

Place the steaks on the grill, turning once until desired doneness.

I like mine medium rare (145°F on an instant-read thermometer). Let the steaks rest under foil at least 10 minutes before serving so the meat can relax and retain its juicy goodness.

Serve the steaks with a dollop of the blue cheese-butter sauce on top. Enjoy!

Just remember to let the kids clear the table and do the dishes…it is date night, after all.
I’d love you to share any comments on this Beef Tenderloin with Blue Cheese. Come back in a few days when Amanda will share a quick make-ahead meal idea.
Emily is paid to write for the Land O’Lakes Recipe Buzz® Blog.