Marinated No-Mystery Meats

Ingredients

Basic Marinade:

• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves, a few sprigs
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves, half a palm full

One recipe will cover:

• 4 to 6 (1-inch) thick beef tournedos (filet steaks), 6 ounces each
• 4 strip steaks, 12 ounces each
• 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breast, 6 to 8 ounces each
• 4 center cut pork loin chops, 8 ounces each, 1 inch thick

Basic Pan Gravy:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons chopped shallot or onion
• 4 mushrooms, crimini or button, finely chopped, optional
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, a handful
• 1 cup beef, chicken or vegetable stock, found on soup aisle

Directions

Combine marinade ingredients in the bottom of a shallow dish. Season meat of choice with salt and pepper and set meat into marinade and turn to coat. Allow meat to hangout 10 minutes.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add marinated meat to the pan and cook 5 or 6 minutes on each side. Remove meat from the pan to a warm platter. Add butter to the skillet, chopped shallot or onion and mushroom bits (optional) then saute for 3 minutes over moderate heat. Add flour to the pan and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in stock and reduce for another minute. Pour pan gravy over the meat and serve.