2010 Recipes: Something Old, Something New

We can't confirm it, as specifics of what we've done which year are unreliable, but we think this was the fourth time up to bat for Steak Diane. We did ponder where the name came from -- who is Diane, and why is a steak named after her? Never mind, she must have been a lovely person, because we do enjoy her namesake dish.

Steak Diane

Four 4-6 ounce beef tenderloin steaks
2 Tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cups thinly sliced mushrooms (or more, you can never have too many mushrooms in a sauce)
2 Tablespoons minced shallots or onions
1/4 cup brandy
1/2 cup beef boullion or broth

Pound steaks between two pieces of waxed paper until 1/4 inch thick. Dredge in flour mixed with salt and pepper. In large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add steaks. Brown about 1 minute on each side. Remove steaks to a platter. Spread both sides with mustard and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. In same skillet, melt remaining 3 tablespoons of butter (or a little more, if you used more mushrooms....) and add mushrooms and shallots. Saute for 2 minutes. Add brandy and flame. Stir in boullion and remaining Worchestershire sauce. Cook and stir until hot. Return steaks to skillet and reheat for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with parsely if desired. Serves 4.

Spinach-Pecan Salad

1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/2 cup pecan halves
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 6-oz package of fresh baby spinach
1 large Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar

Melt butter in small skillet over low heat. Add prcans and brown.sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 or 3 minutes, until carmelized. Cool on waxed paper. Place spinach in large serving bowl. Toss in pecans, apple slices and blue cheese. Add oil and vinegar and toss gently to coat. 4 servings.

Shrimp Dip

1 can broken shrimp
1/2 cup celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 8-ounce cream cheese, softened
1 Tablespoon mustard
1 Tablespoon catsup
1 Tablespoon mayonnaise

Mix. chill and serve.