Super Simple Best Steak

1. Approximately 1-4 hours before cooking, apply kosher salt or coarse sea salt (1/4-1/2 tsp/lb -- I just "eyeball" it; be generous) and leave it in the fridge. <-- THIS IS THE SECRET
2. Preheat your grill or stovetop grill pan to high heat. We want to get a great sear on the outside without a long cook time (you can go geek out on the Maillard reaction like we do here).
3. While the grill or pan is heating up, take your steak out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 15-30 minutes. This will help the steak cook more evenly.
4. Season your steak with freshly ground pepper on both sides. You can also add other seasonings of you choice, such as garlic powder, paprika, or Italian herbs. Or just whip up some garlic butter for melting over the steak at the end. 
5. Place the steak on the grill or pan and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare or until the temperature reaches 145°F for medium-rare.
6. Once the steak is cooked, remove it from the grill or pan and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the steak, making it more tender and flavorful.
7. TIP FOR BEST TENDERNESS: when you cut your steak, make sure to cut across the muscle fibers so that you further tenderize each bite.

Abby's Caramelized Tomatoes

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Place cherry, pear, or grape tomatoes on a heavy baking dish. The fresher the better and a mix of colors is always fun. 
3. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
4. Roast for about 25-30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are beginning to burst and lightly caramelized.
5. Take this to the next level by grilling or pan frying some thinly sliced bread to scrape up the pan drippings. YUM!

Make Him Kiss You Mashed Potatoes

1. Peel and chop 2-3 medium potatoes into small pieces. (we aim for 1-2 potatoes per person)
2. Place the potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft. (If you can fork a chunk while it's floating in water and it doesn't blow apart, you're golden)
3. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add 2 tablespoons of butter (or grass-fed tallow), 1/2 cup of milk, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or a fork until smooth.
4. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can also add in other ingredients like chopped herbs, grated cheese, or a dollop of sour cream for added flavor.