Perfect Char-Grilled Filet Mignon

Anyone out there not having to stuff little stockings or attend Christmas programs or worry about leaving Santa some cookies? How about taking advantage with a fancy, homemade meal?
How about you moms and dads... any of you needing a nice, romantic dinner for two?
I know, I know. Roll your eyes all you want. But try this: stick Rudolph in the dvd player, order them some $5 pizza, and then you have a nice (sorta) quiet dinner all to yourselves.

I know filets aren't quite budget friendly all of the time, but check your local circulars. Sometimes you can find an awesome deal (our local HT is having a special on them this week). But even if they're not on sale, treat yourself. With all of the Christmas craziness, it's nice to unwind to a good dinner... especially a melt-in-your-mouth, steak dinner!

Perfect Char-Grilled Filet Mignon

(Original recipe by Paula Deen)

(Photo courtesy of Food Network)

Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) bottle zesty Italian salad dressing
• 2 beef tenderloin fillets, 1 1/2 -2 inches thick
• 2 slices bacon
• 2 tablespoons steak sauce (Paula recommends Lea and Perrins Steak Sauce, but I just used A1 since my hubby loves the taste so much)
• 2 teaspoons water

Directions

Pour the salad dressing into a shallow pan, place the steaks in the pan and let them marinate for 3 to 4 hours. Prepare a fire in a charcoal grill (I used a gas grill; you could also use a grill pan if it's too cold outside). Wrap a strip of bacon around each steak, securing it with a toothpick or kitchen twine. Grill the steaks over hot coals for about 8 minutes per side (5 minutes per side for rare). Baste with a mixture of steak sauce and water. For perfect steaks, turn them only once.

Goes well with Garlic Mashed Potatoes.