The Coalition of the Swilling

Put the crushed pepper on a plate

and coat each filet with the pepper and set them aside to come to room temp

While the filets are experiencing global warmering it's time to work on the side dish. I am a big fan of broccoli rabe, and I have a tasty recipe that I've coagulated from various sources. What you need for Bingley Rabe™ is the following:

1/3 lb sweet italian sausage, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 small anchovy tin, drained
minced garlic to taste (i.e. a lot)
chicken stock
thyme
crushed rosemary
1/2 lb broccoli rabe
1 1/2 tbl olive oil (extra virgin if you've got one to spare)
2 15 oz (or so) cans of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

Brown the sausage

Check to make sure there's enough cognac left. And there's not. So if you're out of Rémy

No one will complain if you upgrade the hootch to Courvoisier

Remember, your guests deserve the finest.

Or you do, if you're dining alone like I am.

And don't forget the wine

OH DAMN!!!

Where's the corkscrew..Anyhow, while the sausage is gesizzling open and drain the anchovies

Drain off the sausage juice and return to the heat, adding the anchovies, about half the tin, and the olive oil

let that cook over med/low heat for a few minutes until the anchovies have basically disintegrated, then add the onions

Let that slowly cook for a few minutes then get the garlic ready

While you're peeling the garlic don't forget your bestest buddy who's lying at your feet

Dump the garlic in the pan and let it sauté with the other yummies

when the onions are mostly clear add the beans, thyme, rosemary and enough chicken stock to cover

Make sure you are well hydrated

Bring to a boil

then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cover for 20-25 minutes or so.

**Gratuitous Gadget Plug**

I love my Oxo can opener. it's one of those funky ones that opens the lid from below, so there are no sharp edges, no little metal curls falling in your food

Deep breath. Ah.

okay,.. Now rinse the broccoli rabe (I don't chop it; I like the longer pieces, so I cut it straight from the bundle from the store)

and plop it on top of the bean mixture

Now, as an aside, this is an autofocus camera. I know I'm getting somewhat tipsy, but the camera should still be in focus, darn it!

Oh well. replace the cover and let that cook over the lowish heat.

Now, back in Steakville, in a decent sized pan heat the olive oil and butter over fairly high heat

When it's pretty darn hot add the filets

cook for roughly 4 minutes and then flip...and try not to notice the splatters all over the stove

cook for another 4 minutes and remove to a plate

pour out the grease in the pan but DO NOT wipe it out; in a separate small sauce pan heat the cognac to a boil

put the filets back in the original pan and pour the boiling cognac on top of them...and ignite with a long-handled match

shake the pan about as the flames burn out to burn off all the fat and loosen all the tasty bits; once the flames are out transfer the filets to the plate. Sneak a quick peek at the beans

Add the heavy cream to the cognacy pan

and bring it to a boil, stirring constantly for 2 minutes or so as the sauce thickens and collects all the tasty vittles that are in the pan

spoon the sauce over the filets, add the beans and broccoli rabe mix

and enjoy

Oh baby I love you

Why do I feel like having a cigarette...