Raising the Steaks!

It isn't very often that I eat red meat. For some reason I was just in the mood for a good steak. My son would eat steak and potatoes everyday if I let him.  Come to think of it he would eat almost anything! Lucky me:)
I was planning my dinner menu when I got stuck on side dishes.  I have this beautiful head of cauliflower and didn't want to steam it.  It's what I usually do but I wanted something different. So cauliflower mash.  I hate mashed potatoes, so this was a nice change up. I know what you are thinking, who doesn't like mashed potatoes?  Well that would be me folks! 
We went on to joke about how this wouldn't be an ideal "dinner date" menu.  I also was making asparagus and a side salad. You can just use your imagination on this one!   This is why I call it "Raising the Steaks" and have categorized it under a manly man meal!  So  here we go......




Steak:
1 NY Strip Steak
sea salt/pepper for taste
garlic powder


Cauliflower Mash:
3 cloves garlic, left whole and in it's skin
1 medium head of cauliflower, cleaned and chopped
salt/pepper to taste
1 tablespoon cream cheese
1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese


Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles:
2 slices bacon
bundle of Asparagus (at least five)
salt/pepper to taste


Simple Salad:
Romain lettuce
tomatoes
chick peas
onion (optional)
dressing of your choice


For the steak; season with salt, pepper and a couple shakes of garlic powder on both sides. Let the steak sit until it reaches room temperature. You never want to shock a cold steak with a hot surface. It will make the meat tough! 
In the meantime preheat oven to 350  In a baking dish combine cauliflower, 3 cloves garlic, salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil over top and roast in the oven for about 25 minutes or until just fork tender.  In a blender add the cauliflower, garlic (peeled) and cream cheese. Pulse until desired consistency. Return the cauliflower mix to the baking dish. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 400. Grab your asparagus bundles, clean and cut the ends off leaving about 4 to 5 inches of the tips.  Season with salt, pepper and drizzle olive oil over top. Wrap a slice of bacon around the bundle. I used about 5 to 8 spears in each bundle. Places the bundles on a slotted broiler pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes;turning ever few minutes. Or until the bacon is cooked and crisp.
Now preheat the broiler. In the meantime top cauliflower mash with the cheese. Place under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 5 minutes or so. Keep a close watch guys you don't want it to burn!
In a hot skillet with a little olive oil  add your steak. Now don't play with your meat! Let it sit there for five minutes. Flip it and cook the other side about five minutes.  Depending on the size of the steak, this will give you a nice pink center like shown in the pictures.
Whip your salad up grab a beer and serve!
I drizzled blue cheese sauce over the top just in case you were wondering. Oh and I...uh...I bought it :::hangs head in shame:::: See even I cheat once in a while