Big news.
I have big news! Jim and I got engaged. Engaged! On a walk along the Delaware River (I told you we felt love-y on the river); I was walking ahead with Champ and turned around to see Jim, looking just a little stricken, kneeling as he pulled out a gorgeous, brushed-metal gold ring, and asked if I would marry him. I said yes, yes!, and as soon as I started marveling at how cool and composed I was, I got a bit nauseous and we stumbled over to a rock to sit down a minute, and then, appropriately, kissed like never before, and stared into each other’s eyes, and then out at the river, and then gave each other a high-five.
I had no idea how much the news would affect me. After the short bout of nausea, I was elated—elated—to be getting engaged to Jim. I’m head-over-heels in love with him, and said yes instantly. We walked around some more, stopped by the shop that sold Jim the ring and gushed, made our calls, ate a lazy lunch (letting everyone at the shop know we just got engaged), and went to the butchers. Like any old day, really, except we were grinning from ear to ear, and a little bleary-eyed over the excitement. Excitement for the engagement, of course — and for the meal to come.
Jim and I rarely eat expensive cuts of meat. We spend enough money buying the best meat from local sources around us, and if we bought the best cuts from them, well, our landlord wouldn’t be too happy at the end of the month. But engagement celebrations? Splurge! We would’ve bought the whole beast if we didn’t keep reminding ourselves of our lunch at Le Bernardin the next day, so we settled on a big hunk of rib-eye.
Jim is really the mastermind behind this steak. He marinates it and cooks it without a hint or comment from me, as I busy myself with the sides (roasted potatoes, sauteed kale, balsamic onion confit, and a green salad). The marinade, he tells me, is garlic, thyme, salt, and oil, with a sprig of rosemary to rest on top. This sits for a few hours while you dance to Love Me Tenderly by the Felice Brothers with your fiancee. You cook by searing the meat on all sides, and then finishing in the oven at about 400F or somewhere around there, depending on your steak.
The steak was fabulous, every side worked, and the overall dinner was only heightened by the fact that we were staring googly-eyed at one another. Afterwards, as we ate Hostess-style cupcakes from the local startup sweet shop, Annie’s Ice Box, and watched Eastbound & Down, nothing could’ve been more right about the day, the dinner, the everything. I’m a big, happy, ball of mush. With a ring on her finger.
Rib-eye à la James Salant
- Two-pound rib-eye
- 4-6 Cloves garlics, minced
- 6-8 Stems Thyme, minced
- Salt, lots
- Pepper, lots
- Olive oil (4-6 tablespoons)
- 1 big Sprig Rosemary
Salt generously the night before. Coat with garlic, thyme, and olive oil some hours before cooking, laying sprig of rosemary on top. Sear aggressively on all sides, especially the fatty ones. Roast for 15-20min at 400F.
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March 18th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Congratulations! I will never forget the day I got engaged or the day I got married. Two of the most special memories I covet.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Congratulations! And that is one fine looking rib-eye. Mmm.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Congrats! Getting engaged and married were the last things I thought I’d ever do but I hooked up with a real traditionalist. It was a lot of fun and a lovely thing to do, lots of delicious food and drink too. Have lots of fun!
March 18th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Houaissss! Congratulations Robin. Really happy to hear your big new and thanks for sharing it with us.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I mean big news *typo*
March 18th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Congratulations to you both! What wonderful news. I love how unique the rings is too. It sounds like a perfectly amazing day (especially when ended with steak and cupcakes).
March 18th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Congratulations, you two lovebirds! Engaged! Amazing how these things turn an ordinary day into a most extraordinary night.
Best of luck with your wedding plans!
March 18th, 2009 at 11:53 am
AH! Congratulations! Sounds like an absolutely lovely meal for a lovely celebration. Still thrilled with the composition of that table photo, BTW. Perfection.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Congratulations.
Consider having your wedding at the Mill in Stockton and using a local caterer…there are several fine restaurants and caterers who could make a memorable meal for your guests.
March 18th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Though it won’t be for a while, the Mill was in my thoughts for our wedding, and I’d love to find a good local caterer. Any recommendations?
March 18th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Thank you so much, Shannalee. (And thank you Jim for your patience while I took pictures.)
March 18th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Congratulations! That’s so exciting! And to follow it with rib eye, what an awesome day.
The ring is gorgeous!
March 18th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Congratulations! What a fabulous way to celebrate it too!
March 18th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Hooray, congratulations!! The ring and the big ol’ steak look beautiful :)
March 18th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Congratulations! Gorgeous ring and gorgeous meal!
March 18th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I have had Marc Brown-Gold of Just Eat in Buckingham (PA) do several private events for me. Always a success. Also, Max and Me gets great reviews. Your friends and neighbors will have more suggestions. The mill is a great location for a wedding. I think your guests will be impressed.
March 18th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I do love the photo of the table….it’s almost like you were hanging from the ceiling!
Well, given the circumstances, that wouldn’t be a stretch now, would it.
Congrats to you both! It sounds like a blissfully perfect day, and meal.
March 18th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Awww!! Congrats. Two of my college friends just got engaged (to each other). The bug is going around…maybe I’ll catch it one day.
Feel free to use KaTom for any of your wedding needs, haha. We even have ice sculpture molds.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
AWwWWW that is adorable, and I love the Felice Brothers! Great choice for an engagement theme — you should try getting them to play at your wedding :D Congratulations and I hope there’s more steak, fabulous walks , good music in your shared future!
March 18th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Congratulations, hon!!! That is so flipping awesome :) May the two of you enjoy years upon years of health, happiness, bliss, growth, love – all of the good things in life. xxoo
March 18th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Congratulations!! What a perfect way to celebrate. My fiance cooked me an amazing meal when he asked me to marry him–and it felt so perfect to be celebrating at home, around our kitchen table.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
congratulations!!!!!! that is fantastic news!
March 18th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Again, congratulations!!! So thrilled for you guys. And this post had me very teary-eyed. Hee. Your fiance. Being married to your best friend is the BEST thing in the world. I’m always deeply glad to see other people have that too.
Great steak from Jim, but I’m even more in love with the sides. Nice meal you two cooked up. One of many, many more to come, to be sure.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
What a sweet post! it will always be a menu you’ll remember! Congrats again!
March 18th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Congrats! I love your ring. So unique and beautiful.
March 19th, 2009 at 12:58 am
You big ball of mush :) I’m so happy for you I could scream!!
March 19th, 2009 at 7:50 am
I’m even more in love with the sides
As you should be; the onion confit, especially, was out of this world. It’d take to talent to fuck up that steak.
Thanks all for the congrats! I couldn’t be luckier.
March 19th, 2009 at 10:11 am
That is how we like to celebrate too. We went to a bar to celebrate this weekend too… and were laughing that whole time about how much more fun we had at home, cooking.
March 19th, 2009 at 10:13 am
I love you so much, Jimmy, and couldn’t be luckier myself. I’m so happy to spend the rest of my life with you. And I promise to stop throwing my engagement ring at you when you make fun of me. Oh wait, no, I don’t promise that. <3
March 19th, 2009 at 10:25 am
I’m so happy for both of you! Enjoy the next few weeks – they will feel like a whirlwind of lovely emotions and smiles. Yay!!
March 19th, 2009 at 10:36 am
A beautiful post to share your news.
Love the ring and the steak, the confit looks great and the overhead shot of it all complete with
tattoo is lurvely.
auguri, congratulations to you both.
xx
March 19th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Congratulations! Enjoy this time where the whole world is there to support the beginning of this new life together.
March 19th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
stumbled on your site a few months back and have been getting caught up with archives; getting to know you both and was just thrilled to hear the big news! Congrats! What a perfect day and I have a feeling that there will be many more in your future!
March 19th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Figured I could comment on the food also. Rib-eye is my fav. Looks delish.
And Eastbound & Down is insane. Hahaha.
March 19th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Fantastic! So very happy for you both. Congratulations.
D and I always celebrate happy news with a juicy steak too. Shall pass this way of cooking on to him. :)
March 19th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
congrats on your engagement i might however be just a tad bit more excited by the ribeye! Sorry….
March 20th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Only the best for the best. Congratulations. We’re feeling all warm & fuzzy all over in elate-ment for you two. Double congratulations.
March 20th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Congratulations!!! There is nothing better than knowing you have found the one who fits you!!!
March 20th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Congrats! Wonderful news!
March 20th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Aw!!! Congratulations!!!
March 21st, 2009 at 12:02 am
Just found your blog through foodgawker. Congrats! You have the most beautiful photos-it’s what drew me to your blog.
March 21st, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Great news, congratulations! I love the simple ring, I think it’s so much more elegant than the monster diamond that most girls desire.
March 21st, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Food always seals the deal! Congratulations!
March 22nd, 2009 at 9:06 pm
this post just finally popped up in my reader, but since I saw the Flickr pix before I get to be excited for you all over again! :) That is SUCH an awesome engagement story… and a gorgeous steak. (The ring is awesome too, as is Jim. But you knew that.) Congrats to you both. I cannot wait to see what a fabulous wedding you guys plan!
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:01 am
Congratulations to you both.
So what did you have to eat at Le Bernardin?
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:01 am
Awesome steak.
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:09 am
Robin, congratulations..I’m very happy for you and in true foodie fashion…you also celebrated with a fine steak dinner.
Say no more…I know you had each other for dessert! lol
March 25th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Congratulations!! That is so awesome! The whole blogosphere is grinning with you. And what a great way to start off a wonderful life together – that steak looks delicious!!!
March 26th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Amazing. I love that overhead shot as well. Just stunning
March 28th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
oh honey – i’m late to the party. such happy news, that’s so wonderful!
love love LOVE
March 29th, 2009 at 10:21 am
I was excited when I heard yesterday that you were Engaged since I myself am totally in love with my husband and best friend, Robert, but reading the story made me really emotional for you. You seem like a lovely girl and we wish you the best!
April 1st, 2009 at 1:46 am
What a gorgeous post – congratulations to you both!
June 10th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Just so you won’t go through life wondering why this wonderful moment made you feel sick, I’m sure what you define as “nausea” is what the world has always meant by “swooney” or “coming over faint”. You were overwhelmed by emotion, and may well have fainted had you not sat down. What a fairy-tale! All the best.