OP, I grill filet mignon often.
Here's what I do:

rub a tiny bit of olive oil on the steak, season with little salt, pepper, oregano and montreal steak seasoning

let sit about half hour or so

heat up the grill HOT

place the steaks on hot grill, grill for 5 minutes

turn heat down a little bit (not too much) and grill for 5-6 more minutes

This makes med rare steaks. Watch carefully for flare ups.

I would add to 10:22 to just sear it on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet and let it finish in the oven. Also, don't forget to let it rest for a few minutes after out of oven and before you serve.

My son is the same way. Happy birthday to you both.

Here are my recommendations for your steak:

Let the meat sit for a few minutes outside of the fridge. It should be one of the last things you cook.

Season with a little garlic salt and pepper.

You didn't say whether you had the option to grill, broil or fry.

If you pan fry, use butter. Do not be afraid of the fat.

Heat the pan up med/high. Add the butter. Try not to burn the butter.

Put your meat in and let sear 3-4 mins, each side. Then reduce the heat to finish. The timing will very much depend on the thickness and the how done you want your steak.

For medium, the steak should feel like the fleshy part of your palm - firm not too firm.

With cooking steak, less is more. You can also throw it back in, but you can't reverse an overcooked steak.

Anonymous wrote:I don't cook meat, but you're a good mom.

Aww, you're nice to say that, PP. DS loves good food so much, it's a pleasure (and easy actually) to make his day special in that regard.

I've told him that he will need to figure out how to make boatloads of money when he grows up, because he has crazy-expensive tastes. LOL

I don't cook meat, but you're a good mom.

and he loves a good meal more than anyone I know - so he'll get his favorite food all day.

I will be packing him (store-bought) sushi for lunch, then making him filet mignon for dinner, with crash-hot potatoes http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/06/crash-hot-potatoes/ and salad, followed by chocolate birthday cake w/homemade vanilla ice cream. He actually asked for beef tenderloin for dinner (we had it for Christmas awhile back) but no way I am making that for four people on a weeknight, so we settled on filet mignon.

The problem is, I have never cooked filet mignon.

Does anyone have some tips? I really, *really* don't want to mess this up because oh my, it is expensive!

Thanks in advance.