Sirloin with Garlic Butter

Every now and then my husband and I enjoy a date night at home.  We either put the kids to bed early or we arrange to eat late, after they're asleep.  I'll set the table with linen napkins and our nice everyday dinnerware.  My husband will open a bottle of wine and turn on some soft music.  Breaking up the monotony of the week allows us to relax after the stress of real life, enjoy a quiet meal with actual adult conversation, and feel like we're on a date, even though we're still at home!  Bonus if Netflix delivered that day so we get dinner and a movie, all from the comfort of our own family room.  Try this steak dinner next time you want to impress your honey; you'll feel like you're in a French Bistro, and your special someone will feel extra pampered!

For the steaks:

4 steaks (I used sirloin, but any cut will do)

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper

thyme (fresh or dried, doesn't matter!)

2 tablespoons dried parsley

For the garlic butter:

1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, at room temperature

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

3-4 cloves fresh garlic, roughly chopped

2-4 dashes Worcestershire

2-4 dashes hot sauce

Make the garlic butter.  Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor.  Pulse until smooth.  Place in a small dish or mold and chill until time to grill the steaks.

Just before prepping the meat and grill, take the garlic butter out of the fridge to re-soften.  Rub olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme on both sides of meat, rubbing the seasonings in to ensure it adheres.  Prepare a grill or place a grill pan over medium to medium-high heat.  Once grill is ready, place the steaks on the grill and cook 5-7 minutes per side, or until desired doneness.

Once cooked, remove the steaks from grill, place on a platter, and allow to rest for about 5 minutes.  While meat is resting, place a dollop of garlic butter on each steak, along with a sprinkling of parsley.

Serves 4.

Recipe adapted from the Williams-Sonoma Bride & Groom Cookbook, by Gayle Pirie & John Clark.