Virgo

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

VirgoTraits: Analytical, devoted, hard-worker, shy, worrywart and critical.

Even with Jupiter’s abundance bringing you more money, you hold back in spending it. You need to refrain from being stingy. In fact, it would not hurt to treat yourself to a good dinner. Having a penchant for perfection can turn off your dining companions, so refrain from rearranging the place setting in front of your host. You have a taste for leafy greens, whole grains and delicate poultry.

Eat this: Order a good steak, and don’t worry about its cost. And, yes, you can have a fresh Caesar salad to start off.

Not this: A turkey sandwich is comforting, but treat your palate to something more exciting.

Strip Steak with Earthy Butter
Gretchen McKay/Post-Gazette

Strip Steak With Earthy Butter

PG tested

Leave it to you to find that one special ingredient that makes an ordinary dish spectacular. In this case it is an earthy mushroom-shallot butter, which is dabbed over nicely seared steaks.


2 strip steaks (about 1 pound total), ¾-inch thick
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

For Earthy Butter
1 tablespoon diced mushrooms
1 tablespoon diced shallot
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons butter


Generously season steaks on both sides with salt and pepper.

Heat skillet over high heat. Swirl in vegetable oil. When it shimmers, add steaks and cook for 3 minutes without moving, then turn and cook for 3 minutes more for medium-rare.

Remove steaks and let rest for a few minutes.

For earthy butter, saute mushrooms and shallot. Set aside. Mix butter and salt. Add mushroom mixture to butter and mix well.

Top each steak with a generous pat of butter. Serve hot.

Serves 2.

— “Mad Hungry Family” by Lucinda Scala Quinn (Artisan Books; September 2016)

Comments