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Steak with Mushroom Ragout

October 19, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

THIS steak with mushroom ragout will make your eyes roll back in your head. It’s that good.
Steak with Mushroom Ragout
My husband proposed to me again. It’s that good.
This recipe is PERFECT for a special dinner, unless of course you are a vegetarian. In that case, I recommend making the mushroom ragout and serving it over rice. It’s that good.
And no, ragout is not spaghetti sauce in a jar…According to Webster, ragout is well-seasoned meat and vegetables served in a thick sauce.
(recipe adapted from Bon Appetit)
 
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 5 shallots, sliced
  • 1 pound mixed & sliced mushrooms (i.e. shiitake, portabella, oyster, crimini, button)
  • ¾ cup Port (if you need help choosing a Port, click HERE)
  • ¾ cup canned beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 ¾ in thick rib-eye steaks or top sirloin, trimmed (I used a 1.5 lb top sirloin)
  • ¼ cup whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon (must be fresh!)
  • Parsley
Steak with mushroom ragout
Method
  •  Melt 1 tablespoon butter with vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over high heat. Generously sprinkle steak with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. When skillet is hot, place steak in butter and cook to desired doneness – about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Do not overcook. The meat will continue to cook after removed from heat…Transfer steak to a plate.
  • Add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet, melt over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté until tender, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Add mushrooms and stir until beginning to soften, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Add Port and broth and bring to boil. Boil until liquid begins to evaporate off and becomes syrupy, about 10 minutes.
  • Add cream and tarragon and stir over medium high heat until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper, if needed.
  • Slice steak into strips, spoon mushrooms over and sprinkle with parsley.
mushroom sauce
Enjoy!
Grace Grits and Gardening
 

Music: Life’s Soundtrack

October 18, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

photo courtesy of Memories of Toymorrow 

From the plastic Fisher Price record player Santa gave me as a child to the last song I downloaded on iTunes, music has been playing in the background, a sort of This is Your Life soundtrack. Of course when your Daddy wakes you up before sunrise to Waylon Jennings, music is bound to play a significant role.

As I think back on the concerts I’ve attended, I laugh at the wide variety of music and entertainers on my list. Bad Company, The Jacksons, Britney Spears, Squeeze, Elton John, David Allen Coe, Santana, The Doobie Brothers, One Direction.Oh and Keith Urban. My best friend Becky would NEVER forgive me if I didn’t mention Keith Urban…

Although my list is diverse and spans forty years, none of these concerts matched the thrill of my very first time—The Osmonds.
O
Be
Still
My
Heart
♥

 

In 1970-something when The Osmonds concert ended in a scream of tears and thunderous clapping, I could have died a contented teeny bopper without ever hearing anyone else sing another note. That’s how much I loved Donny.Alas, we were not meant to be…
A couple of weeks ago I saw Aaron Neville in concert at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Although I’m not a huge Aaron Neville fan, his versatile music took me back to different places, different times, different people.
My favorite moment was The Grand Tour, not because of Aaron Neville’s buttery rendition, but because it reminded me of George Jones and Friday nights spent watching Hee Haw and summer trips to the lake where we sang along to the eight track player Daddy rigged up in the boat.
 
Music speaks to us.
With only few notes, we are magically transported to Christmas Eve, first dates, Sunday service, joyous occasions, times of great sorrow. You never know when a song might knock you to your knees.

Where words fail, music speaks. –Hans Christian Andersen

talya

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

This was written specifically for GBE 2: Blog On Week #126 Free Choice. 

P.S. And for those inquiring minds…the last song I downloaded from iTunes…

Summertime Sadness, Lana Del Rey

How to Make Faux-Mercury Glass

October 17, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

grace grits and gardening
Have you tried Krylon’s Looking-Glass spray paint? It’s an easy way to make faux-mercury glass decorations for the holidays using inexpensive pressed glass. 

Although I had lofty ideas of painting plastic pumpkins, for successful results the paint should only be used on clear glass objects like bowls, vases, picture frames and candlesticks. When sprayed on the reverse side of an object, the paint dries to a dull finish then reflects a mirrored-like shine on the opposite side. (This product is for decorative use only and should not come into contact with food.)

I love the way my project turned out. To see the entire article featured today on Inspiration Cafe today, including before and after pictures with step-by-step instructions, click HERE.  

talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Happy Birthday, Theo Gruene!
  • Sunday Letter~ 05.17.26
  • Sunday Letter: 03.29.26
  • Sunday Letter: February 22, 2026
  • Our Garden Mission Statement

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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