Since the weather warmed up nicely over the weekend and the hubby could get out to the grill, I decided to try another recipe from the newly purchased Recipes and Riffs cookbook.  This time it was one of Chris Young's favorite recipes, COFFEE-CURED FILET MIGNON.


According to some info in the cookbook, this is one of Chris's favorite "impress-a-date" orders when he dines at the Stoney River Restaurant in Nashville.  The chefs, Jim Filaroski and Michael Sabrin, were kind enough to share the recipe for the cookbook.  While the marinade looks a little complicated and time-consuming, I classify it at the beginner cook level because it's just that easy.  If you can boil water, you too can prepare this marinade!


I'm  not a steak eater, so I had to rely on my husband for the flavor analysis.  He said the flavor was excellent, with a little sweetness, but that you couldn't really taste the bite from the coffee.  We both presumed the molasses and brown sugar balanced the taste of the coffee.  I served the steak with scalloped potatoes and haricot vert green beans.  After dinner, he asked if we could have this dish again the next day.  That makes it a keeper!

Coffee-Cured Filet Mignon 

1 1/2     cups boiling water                       
1/4        cup instant coffee                       
1/2        cup firmly packed dark brown sugar                                         
1/3        cup kosher salt                           
3           Tbsp. molasses
3           Tbsp. olive oil
2           tsp. ground cumin
4           7-oz beef tenderloin filets
Garnish: fresh rosemary leaves

Stir together boiling water and coffee in a medium bowl.  Add sugar and salt, stirring until sugar dissolves.  Stir in molasses and next 2 ingredients.  Fill a large bowl half-full with ice and 1 cup water.  Place bowl of coffee mixture inside ice-filled bowl.  Cool coffee mixture to room temperature, stirring occasionally. 

Combine filets and marinade in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag, turning to coat.  Seal and chill 2 hours, turning once.  Remove steaks from marinade; discard marinade. 

Preheat grill to medium-high (350 - 400 degrees).  Grill, covered with grill lid, 5 to 7 minutes per side or to desired degree of doneness.

If you are a single chick and have a special date, fix this meal.  He will definitely be back!  If he ends up not being all that special, close your eyes during dinner and imagine that Chris Young is dining with you!  Your date will think you are savoring every bite of your steak! ;-)

Enjoy!