STEAK! – IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER.
↑ ↑ ↑ Remember these commercials? I loved and hated these because while I found them amusing and yummy, I got Aaron Copland’s “Hoedown” stuck in my head for two days afterward. However, when I finally had the opportunity to play this piece in orchestra, I frequently had my own private commercial reel running through my head at the same time for my personal entertainment. :::chuckle::: Oh, and in reference to the video above? I was totally that kid feigning starvation. Except I was never rewarded with a sloppy joe pizza like he was. No see, everything in my house was accompanied by the fifth food group: rice. Because we’re Filipino, rice goes with everything. (Even when it doesn’t.) I was also a pretty picky eater and the only things I would eat were starch related, which explains my obsession with pasta and potatoes. But the ever popular combinations of rice and soy sauce (yum!) and rice and ketchup (I know. ew.) were about the only quick and easy things I would eat up until the age of 10.
But now, my pallet has evolved. Yup. And I have developed the same love that every good ole’ American has when it comes to a hearty dinner: beef! After a long day of work, whatever that might entail, I love something wholesome and hearty to follow. Now sometimes, I’m way too lazy and I make quick dishes that I can cook in my sleep because my tumbly’s-a-grumbly. But in this case, I wanted to try doing a flank steak for the first time. Incrocio le dita! (Italian: “Fingers crossed!”)
I decided that while I wanted something hearty, I hate it when I feel bloated with a food baby afterwards. So hearty and filling, but not heavy was the goal. I made this flank steak with an Asian flavored sauce of cilantro, ginger, garlic and some other goodies. I paired it with a cauliflower puree to substitute those heavy mashed potatoes. (This is a good trick! I have fooled others in the past with it.) And for a little tang and crunch, I blanched and tossed some broccolini in a light toasted sesame vinaigrette.
Now, to test it out on some poor, unsuspecting people……….. Actually, they’re rarely unsuspecting because I usually preface my new dishes with, “I have no idea if this tastes good or not”, and pray they don’t die.
I asked hubby to partake in this meal because he is bound by marriage law and my best friend, Nykole, who I say I have tenure with when it comes to our friendship. So by tenure law she, too, is bound. (Side note: if you want to try some other yummy food that is not made my me, you can visit her happening restaurant The Starving Artists Bistro. A place centered around good food, good music and good art!)
Anyway, insoma (Italian: “to sum up”), nobody died from this meal and in fact, plates were cleaned by all. If you’d like to try this recipe, look for it on my “Recipes” page. The Asian sauce also pairs well with any other meat selection. Buon appetito! (Italian: "Enjoy your meal!")
P.S. This meal also works with rice. The fifth food group.
