Post-Flood Livin'- Pan steaks with peppers, onions & mushrooms

We took Logan on a fun-filled adventure to San Diego recently- his first overnight in a hotel and...first trip to SEA WORLD!!! He (and we) had a GREAT time!
But, like all vacations, it had to end, and unfortunately for us that meant coming home- opening the front door and walking into a completely flooded living room, thanks to the pipe that had burst on the 2nd floor in the master bathroom that morning. While we petted dolphins. #SADFACE.

With everything still packed from SD we gathered anything else not soaked and let the professionals get to work. Nate's family kindly let us stay there for TWO WEEKS while the place was restored, and dried out.
After what felt like MONTHS of "nomad livin'" all five of us- doggies, baby, mommy & daddy finally got to return home.
The first few days were filled with "where is my..." and "did.....get ruined or is it packed up somewhere?"
Then by Friday of our first week back, we were finally in the swing of things again...messy, and with work ahead, but so much more settled.

I relished in that first trip with Logan to our neighborhood market- it was so much fun! Ahhh, the little things.
Since we had packed up our entire kitchen and not yet unpacked it all, I chose something SUPER simple, but comforting and yummy for our first dinner home.

Here's what you'll need:

2 steaks- our store was running a special on cut tri-tip steaks- a package of 4 of 'em was $6- hello!!! But a NY strip would work perfect here- if it's within budget.

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 package sliced mushrooms (I used baby bellas because I like the flavor)

1 medium yellow onion, chopped or sliced

salt, pepper,olive oil, 1 T butter

A pan that goes from stove top to oven or a pan and a baking sheet.

Preheat the oven to 475.
In a medium pan heat 1 T olive oil over medium heat and add onions- stir occasionally.
Meanwhile....
Add about 1 T olive oil to a large oven safe frying pan (or just a large frying pan then use the baking sheet, if you are doing the baking sheet put it in the oven when you start cooking the steaks so it's hot like the pan...) over medium heat and let it warm up for about a minute or two.
Cover both sides of each steak with salt & pepper.
Add the steak to the pan.
Sear on each side for about 3-4 minutes or until browned well but still very uncooked in the center.
When you do your first flip- turning them over to brown the second side, add the mushrooms to the onions, turn the heat to med/low and keep stirring occasionally.
When both sides of the steaks are browned place the whole pan in the oven- or if your pan is not oven safe place the steaks on a baking sheet and put in the oven.
Add the bell peppers to the onions & mushrooms- and stir from time to time.
Cook the steaks in the oven for about 8 minutes (they will be medium to medium rare...if you like a more well done steak, leave them in there for 10-12 minutes)...
Remove steaks- add 1/4 to 1/2 T of butter on top of each and let melt.
Add veggies & serve with brown rice or quinoa!

SOOOOOO GLAD TO BE HOME!!!! :D