Daunted by our mostly empty fridge, Zeke mentioned that we would have to order out tonight for dinner.  Instead, I was able to whip up Mustard Roasted Potatoes, Braised Garlic Kale and Cajun Rubbed Steak from its murky depths.

Mustard Roasted Potatoes

I’m a big fan of Ina Garten, and I love her quick recipe for Mustard Roasted Potatoes. This makes a great side dish for dinner at any time.

Braised Garlic Kale

John Besh is one of my idols. I used his recipe for Braised Garlic Kale from Food & Wine.

In a medium skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat. Add crushed garlic and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add some chicken stock, then add the kale in large handfuls, letting it wilt slightly before adding more. Season with salt and pepper, cover and cook over moderate heat until the kale is tender, about 5 minutes.

Cajun Rubbed Steak

For this, I love using my cast iron pan, which has been seasoned with tender loving care for over 10 years. Rub the steak with Cajun spice mix, preferrably Emeril’s Essence, though any spice mix will do. You could even make your own. Pre-heat the cast iron pan until hot, and oil it with a thin sheen of grapeseed oil.  Sear the steak, letting it develop a nice crust, for around 3-4 minutes on each side, depending on how rare you like your steak.

Interested in more dinner ideas? Let us know in the comments!

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