Can I just put the seasoning on the steak ahead of time (how much), cook it in the cast iron skillet, and then saute the mushrooms in the same pan with butter?

yes, and it will be delicious. As for the seasoning, I usually just use kosher salt, but the rub sounds yummy.

You can totally do that, Jesse. You could also saute the mushrooms first and then cook trhe steak in the same pan. That's how I do it with chicken. I don't know that the order is important if you aren't glazing the pan or making gravy from the drippings.

My VCR thinks DST ends today. I had to unplug it to stop being confused about what time it is since I apparently can't turn the damn thing on to reset the clock.

I don't know that the order is important if you aren't glazing the pan or making gravy from the drippings.

Mushrooms release a lot of water, so if you cook them first you won't get as good a sear on the steak. Plus, cooking the steak first means you'll have tasty fond in the pan which the mushrooms will absorb flavor from.

Damn, now I want a steak.

Thanks, guys! I feel like I know how to cook, but every so often I'm doing something for the first time and don't have any sense of what makes the most sense.

Thank you -t. I just noticed that both my VCRs are now an hour off.

I've always done (1) saute the mushrooms (2) cook the meat (3) glaze the pan. Should I change that up?

don't forget to tent the steak while you're cooking the mushrooms, so it stays warm.

Will do!

Damn, I just read up on Thomson Safaris (I've seen their HQ in Watertown) and now I would love to spend $7K to go to Tanzania for a week....

FTR, steak, mushrooms, and brussels sprouts were all a success. Even though I still can't figure out how to cook steak medium. I was trying to do the thing where you press the fleshy spot at the bottom of your thumb, but no. Luckily, I can deal with pretty rare, which is what I ended up with, as well, as well done, which I got last time I made steak!