Surf And Turf Dinner For Two Recipes

Steps:

• Make the herb oil: Pulse the parsley, chives and olive oil in a mini food processor until smooth. Thin with water, if necessary, and add 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl, cover and set aside. (This can be done up to 2 hours ahead.)
• Prepare the surf and turf: Toss the shrimp, olive oil, lemon juice, chopped thyme, and pepper to taste in a bowl. Wrap each shrimp with a piece of pancetta. Preheat the broiler. Arrange the shrimp on a foil-lined broiler pan. Season the beef with sea salt and pepper, press the thyme sprigs into the meat and set aside. Snap off the tough ends of the asparagus. Put the asparagus in a microwave-safe dish with 1/4 cup water and a pinch of sea salt. Heat a medium ovenproof skillet over high heat and add the butter. When the foam subsides, sear the beef until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Using tongs, hold the meat and brown the sides. Transfer the skillet to the broiler and cook until a thermometer inserted into the beef registers 125 degrees F for medium rare, about 4 more minutes. Transfer to a cutting board to rest while you cook the shrimp.
• Broil the shrimp until the pancetta is crisp, about 2 minutes per side. Meanwhile, microwave the asparagus until tender, about 2 minutes. Slice the beef into 4 pieces. Serve with the shrimp, herb oil and asparagus.

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the top third of the oven and preheat to broil.
• Lightly grease the left third of an 18-by-13-inch sheet pan with the butter.
• Mix the Parmesan, heavy cream, thyme, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Add the potatoes and toss to coat.
• Arrange the potatoes in even overlapping layers on the buttered part of the sheet pan. Pour whatever cream mixture remains in the bowl on top. Sprinkle evenly with the Gruyere.
• Brush oil on both sides of the steak and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Put the steak on the middle third of the sheet pan. Broil for 5 minutes to begin browning the potatoes and steak. Meanwhile, put the shrimp scampi in a 1 1/2-quart oval baking dish.
• Remove the sheet pan from the oven, lower the oven to 450 degrees F and put the baking dish with the shrimp on the right third of the sheet pan next to the steak. Return the sheet pan to the oven and bake, stirring the shrimp halfway through, until the shrimp are cooked and the steak registers 135 degrees F for medium-rare, 16 to 18 minutes.
• Remove the steak to a cutting board and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Slice and serve the steak with the potatoes, shrimp scampi, spinach salad and bread for sopping up the flavorful juices.