Every year I say the same thing. 'I'm going to learn to sew this year.' Every year it gets to the end of the year and my sewing skills are still severely lacking, okay non-existent. Not this year though. On Thursday I had my first sewing lesson with my very patient Aunt/new teacher. See that beautiful red napkin with the cord bow? I made it! I couldn't be prouder of my very first creation and next week I'm off to buy more fabric. Not to spoil the surprise but I think everyone will be getting sewn-by-Claire gifts this Christmas. Maybe I'll even sew up some creations and give them away in a Claire K Creation competition. Get excited!
Now on to the meal that was served beside my beautiful napkins - garlic and soy steak and smashed potatoes. It's a very simple week-night dinner that uses about 5 ingredients and will be on the table in half an hour.
If you have time, place the steaks, soy sauce and garlic in a container, coat the steaks in the sauce and garlic and leave to marinate for a few hours. If you don't have time you can coat the steaks and move straight on to the cooking.
Place the potatoes in a saucepan and boil for 15-20 minutes.
Pre-heat the oven to 180C/360F fan-forced and line a baking tray.
Steam the veges (either on the stove or in the microwave). While all this is happening, seal the steaks by cooking in a hot fry pan for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side.
Transfer the steaks to a lined oven tray. Drain the potatoes and place on the tray with the steaks. Using the back of a fork, gently smash the potatoes then spray them with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper or your favourite herbs.
Bake the potatoes and steaks for about 10 minutes then leave the steaks to rest for 4 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 x 120g 4oz beef fillet
- 1 clove of garlic crushed
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 6 small potatoes
- ½ bunch dutch carrots
- ½ bunch broccolini
Instructions
- Place the steaks in a container and coat with soy sauce and garlic and leave to marinate for as long as you can (you don't have to leave them but the flavour is better if you do).
- Boil the potatoes in a saucepan of boiling water for 15 - 20 minutes or until softened.
- Preheat the oven to 180C/360F fan-forced.
- Place the veges in a steamer basket over a pot of hot water. You can do them in the microwave if you prefer.
- Sear the steaks for 30s to 1 minutes each side then transfer to a lined baking tray. Take the potatoes from the saucepan and place them on the baking tray with the steaks. Squash them by pressing gently with the back of a fork.
- Spray the potatoes with a little olive oil and season them.
- Bake the potatoes and steak for about 10 minutes.
celia says
We love splats (our word for smashed potatoes)! :)
And your napkins look most fine, Claire! Learning to sew is like unlocking a bit in your brain you never knew you had - my MIL taught me 16 years ago, and I've never looked back. Be warned though, it can be very addictive, especially all the gorgeous fabrics...hahaha. Have fun!
Claire says
Oh I can imagine. I'm going to have to restrain myself.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
OOh I love smashed potatoes! I once made the mistake of only cooking 12 potatoes for a grouop of friends and there was almost a riot! Good luck with your sewing! :D