Beef
Remember that commercial where the key line was “Where’s the Beef?” OK, some of you might be a wee bit on the young side. So, let me edumacate you…
Everyone on the same page now? Well, this weekend, Sweets and I found the beef. You see, on Saturday morning, we decided we were going to do a whole bunch of nothing this weekend. And in doing a whole bunch of nothing, we thought it’d be a good time to cook from some of our favorite cookbooks. I was going to choose a recipe for Saturday night and a second recipe to throw in the slow cooker on Monday during my day off (Sweets didn’t have the day 0ff). And Sweets was going to pick something for Sunday night.
I chose Stir Fry Shrimp with Snow Peas and Mushrooms for Saturday and Slow Cooked Chicken with Tomatillos, Potatoes, Jalapenos and Fresh Herbs for Monday. And Sweets chose Mushroom-Stuffed Beef Tenderloin for Sunday night. We made a shopping list and off to the stores we went.
In being more conscientious about our spending, I decided we’d start off at Trader Joe’s and get as many ingredients there as possible. Then, we’d head to Whole Foods for the items not available at Trader Joe’s. And that’s exactly what we did.
Everything was right on track when we were wandering through the produce section at Whole Foods. Sweets asked what he could get next. I told him to go to the meat counter to get the shrimp and the beef. Off he went.
By the time he found me a few minutes later, he had a really long look on his face. I asked him what was wrong. He said, “I think I just blew our shopping budget.” So, I asked what he meant. And that’s when he showed me the price of the beef tenderloin.
Eighty six dollars.
$86.
Yes, that’s right. The beef tenderloin? It was $26 per pound. (And we were cutting the recipe in half. Imagine if he had bought all 5-6 pounds required for a full recipe.) My first reaction was to smile and say with some amount of humor, “Happy Valentine’s Day, honey.” It was an amusing moment between the two of us, given how we’re really not into that holiday.
When we got home, I immediately began to make notes in the margin of our cookbook. I usually write the date we made a recipe and whether we liked it or not and any modifications we made. Without having started the recipe, I added “Fucking Expensive” before the Beef Tenderloin title and $26/lb in the margin. Just as a reminder next time we think about making beef tenderloin.
I’m sure you’re wondering about our meal. Despite some bickering in the kitchen (whomever was holding the knife won each argument) and despite being nervous about cooking such an expensive cut of meat just right, we actually had an amazing meal. We took the meat out when it was cooked a little more than “dripping red.” It continued to cook while we let it rest. By the time we served it? The meat was perfectly warm, the inside perfectly pink, the outside perfectly brown. Everything was perfect.
February 16th, 2010 at 8:46 am
First of all, that commercial cracks me up. Second, holy Hell. $86?! That is crazy.
February 16th, 2010 at 8:53 am
I love the side note you made in the cookbook. I don’t really cook with beef, and after reading this I’m really glad. However I am a huge fan of chicken in the slow cooker.
February 16th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Wow, that is insane! That is why I can’t walk into whole Foods, they have so many yummy things that cost more than my car payment! At least it was a memorable meal and it came out lovely.
February 16th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Totally remember that commercial. HOWEVER I did NOT know that stinkin beef would cost THAT much. I think it’s cute that you write the date and stuff in the cookbook :)
February 16th, 2010 at 9:45 am
WOAH! lol Oh my goodness, I hope you enjoyed it! That’s the awesome thing about being vegetarian, unless I’m eating truffles it’s very affordable ;)
I actually cooked meat for the first time last week, I made Mister steak sandwiches although they only came in around $10.
Are you sure that Whole Foods isn’t actually selling unicorn tenderloin? I might call back just to clarify.
February 16th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Dammit Whole Foods, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO EXPENSIVE?? I went with Matt once to get some lamb chops. For seven pieces I paid $36 at Whole Foods. I was in shock but told Matt it was all good.
Of course, like yours the meal was delicious. I just don’t think they have a right to charge that much. It’s ridiculous.
February 16th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Wowsers!!! $86? Are you serious? Geez Louise. The dish sounds delicious, though!
February 16th, 2010 at 10:24 am
I TOTALLY remember that commercial!
$86 is outrageous.
February 16th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Wow! What a rip. I got salmon from there last year (barely any) and it was almost $75. I understand why people call it Whole Paycheck.
February 16th, 2010 at 10:51 am
ha! i cannot believe that we bought the same exact beef, same price, same place this weekend. too funny. sounds worth it though! still less expensive than you would have spent out for the same meal, you know?
February 16th, 2010 at 11:00 am
It better had been perfect for $86!
Glad you had a nice weekend. :-)
February 16th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Everytime I make my famous beef, I am reminded that 10 lbs of even shoulder is way expensive. And when people ask me to bring a salad too, I just say no. Because dude! That shit’s expensive.
February 16th, 2010 at 11:28 am
I am actually surprised the tenderloin wasn’t on sale. We have a tradition of always eating it on V-day because inevitably it is on fire sale.
Ugh, but I know what Sweets went through. I have had that exact same experience. Standing in WF being handed a $100 package of meat you never saw coming.
February 16th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
That is insane. I agree with Kyla: I think Sweets inadvertently purchased unicorn tenderloin.
I would be so nervous cooking such an expensive piece of meat; I’m glad it turned out well for you :)
February 16th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Oh, my lord. That’s the problem with Whole Foods… I don’t know what kind of evil magic they use, but I’ve never left there without spending less than $100 dollars.
BLACK MAGIC, I tell you!!!
February 16th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Hoo, boy, I would have been TERRIFIED to cook that cut of meat. I am so glad all ended well!
Sounds yummy.
February 16th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Perhaps you could float buying a cow for all the condo residents to raise and then eat later on? : ) Good for you guys for making so much yummy stuff. What did you drink?
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*(just fyi)We have to empty out our freezer to do a big purchase but Omaha Steaks has specials that change all the time. There are more expensive companies(allen brothers for example will not disappoint-ever) but these are more than good in our opinion. You can get on their email list for deals. Holiday time is especially good for steals. It’s frozen but I love getting any food I can delivered to my door : )
February 16th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Beef tenderloins are crazy expensive! My family has them a few times a year and when I see the pricetag I nearly fall of my chair. The Whole Food price definitely does take the cake on price, though =) Fortunately for me I just go to Whole Foods for organic snacks, dog food and some health products. Note to self: do not buy meat at Whole Foods!
February 16th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
youch. i usually opt for cheaper cuts when the recipe calls for tenderloin since.. well.. i’m cheap :-) it’s worth it for a good meal, though!!
February 16th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
That is scary expensive. I think the most expensive beef I’ve ever had was aged steak from a specialty butcher store. I can’t remember the price, but it was exorbitant. However, the taste was worth every penny.
February 16th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
I totally remember that commercial!
I’m so glad your meal turned out great. I would have been nervous, too.
On another note, about your observation about who held the knife won the fight… maybe that’s why I’m not allowed to use the knives in the kitchen. hmmm
February 16th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Woah, $86?! I’d expect it to be perfect at that price haha!
February 16th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
What a great way to spend the “holiday.” Better than candies in a damned heart box, that’s for sure! Yours was made with love!
February 16th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
“whomever was holding the knife won each argument” = funniest thing i’ve read today! wow, that is some fucking expensive beef!! special occasion meal :)
February 16th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Love it. And yes -- that is some f’ing expensive beef!
I love that you write notes in the margins of your recipe books. I do the same -- usually a thumbs up/down and modifications.
February 16th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
I love a great tenderloin. Yeah, it can be expensive so we buy it on sale and plan when we’ll make it. I love a nice piece of tenderloin. NUM.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:18 am
%86?! I hope it was nothing short of perfection!!
February 17th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
hate whole foods for that reason. I am sure the meat was pure and the cow was treated well but I go to costco for our meat. You can get a whole beef tenderloin for 50 -- 60 dollars. Cut it into three or four servings, freeze for later. Or we buy that for dinner parties and cook it whole on the grill. Mmmmmm.
February 17th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Was it grass-fed beef? Or maybe gold-fed? :) Mr. W bought a bunch of grass-fed beef online recently…not sure if that’s a cheaper way to go.
All your meals sound delicious! Glad you had a happy non-Valentiney weekend!
February 17th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
well, at least now i know not to get my beef from whole foods! holy man, that’s more than slightly ridiculous. i would love to make beef tenderloin though, it sounds sooo good, and i’m an avid carnivore (rarr!)
February 17th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Holy crap. I think I’d end up calculating cost per bite, just for kicks.
And “fucking expensive” might be the best recipe notation EVER.
February 18th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I love the notation too! :) And seriously, that’s insane. I hate buying meat because it’s so expensive and I don’t like cooking it, but when I do I can’t bring myself to hit up Whole Paycheck. I can barely afford their bread.
That said…now I’m really wanting beef tenderloin!