Chimichurri Flank Steak
- Level: Advanced
- Yield: 6 servings
- Total: 2 hr
- Active: 1 hr 15 min
Ingredients
Chimichurri:
1 cup packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup packed cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons fresh oregano, picked
2 cloves garlic
1 shallot, chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Rice and Black Beans:
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
2 1/4 cups vegetable stock
1 cup black beans, cooked
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Smoked Tomato Salsa:
12 Roma tomatoes, halved
1 small yellow onion, quartered
2 garlic cloves
1 jalapeno pepper
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
Lemon Aioli:
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 egg plus 1 yolk
1 clove garlic
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
Flank Steak:
3 pounds flank steak
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
Grapeseed oil, for searing
1 bunch watercress
Directions
- For the chimichurri: In a food processor, combine the parsley, cilantro, oregano, garlic, shallot, cumin, pepper flakes, salt, red wine vinegar and honey. With the food processor running, slowly add the olive oil; the final product should be smooth but still have a bit of texture to it.
- For the rice and black beans: Heat the grapeseed oil in a pot over high heat. Add the rice and coriander and cook, stirring, to toast the rice, about 2 minutes. Add the vegetable stock and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook, covered, until the liquid is absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and fluff with a fork. Mix in the black beans, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper.
- For the smoked tomato salsa: Prepare a smoker with soaked wood chips (cherry or apple wood preferred) and heat to 350 degrees F.
- Place the tomato halves, onion quarters, garlic and jalapeno in a pan. Transfer to the smoker and cook until the onions are tender, 20 to 30 minutes.
- Dice half of the onions and half of the tomatoes. In a food processor, puree the remaining onions and tomatoes along with the jalapeno, garlic and the lime juice.
- In a bowl, mix the pureed sauce with the diced onions and tomatoes and the chopped cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- For the lemon aioli: In a food processor (or using an immersion blender) combine the lemon juice, mustard, egg, egg yolk and garlic; puree until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil to emulsify the aioli. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- For the flank steak: Cut the flank steak into six equal portions, slicing against the grain and on an extreme bias. With the back of a knife, tenderize the steaks by pounding them out on both sides. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat until smoking. Add just enough grapeseed oil to coat the pan. Working in batches, sear the steaks on both sides, about 2 minutes. Remove the steaks to a plate to rest before plating.
- To plate: Divide the rice and beans between six plates, mounding it in the center of each plate. Spoon about 2 ounces of the salsa over the top and then lay a steak over the rice. Drizzle some chimichurri over the steak.
- In a bowl, dress the watercress with lemon aioli. Top the steaks with the dressed watercress. Serve.