i don't watch madmen

but this is what i'd imagine don draper has for dinner.

an extra dirty belvedere martini with three olives, an extra large fillet mignon and an arugula salad.

why do i imagine that? it's what i have for dinner when someone else is paying for it.

but last night? i made it. here's how:

---

first, the perfect extra dirty vodka martini. IMPERATIVE.

get a vodka you like. my favorite is actually three olives. but belevedere will do in a crunch. (i sound so snobby)

first, take a splash of dry vermouth and swirl it around your glass, coating the inside. then dump it out.

then mix ice (a handful), vodka (a 5 count) and olive juice (a drunken splash) in a shaker.

pour it, minus ice into your vermouthed glass. garnish with three olives and drink your face off.

---

if you're still standing after your 'tini-tasm, it's time to make dinner.

first things first: heat a grilling pan over medium-high heat and a broiling pan in the broiler set at low.

OR, better first things first: bring your meat to room temp. seriously.

i like irish butter. so i take irish butter, a diced garlic clove, and salt&pepper and hand knead it into the meat.

then i sear the outside in the grilling pan — one minute per side.

throw it into the broiler for three minutes per side.

---

and it's time to make the salad.

i love arugula. and you KNOW i love cilantro. so i did greens of arugula with cilantro.

then added diced fresh banana pepper and red onion. then i spritzed it with the juice of half a lemon with a bit of citrus-champagne vinegar and olive oil. salt and pepper that shit, and you're good.

i cannot tell you how good this was. i licked my plate.