Bistecca all Fiorentina

Name: Bistecca all Fiorentina
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H5M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H12M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H22M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 2 (2-pound) Porterhouse steaks, about 2 inches thick; Grey sea salt; Coarse grind black pepper; Pure olive oil; Great balsamic vinegar

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Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 22 min

Prep: 5 min
Inactive: 1 hr 5 min
Cook: 12 min

Yield: 4 servings

The classic Bistecca all Fiornentina is a large porterhouse steak that usually weighs about 1 kilo (2.2 pounds). In Tuscan restaurants the steak is offered by the "etto" or in 100 gram (4-ounce) increments. This great steak includes the strip loin and the fillet. When shopping for this dish, use the best meat, gray sea salt, course grind black pepper and the best balsamic vinegar that you can afford. The marriage of flavors from all of these ingredients will reveal a noble meal of authentic Italian cookery. As is true for all steak, to ensure a juicy, flavorful steak that cooks quickly, have the meat at room temperature before starting. Use a grill or thick cast iron pan and make sure that they are very hot. Always let the meat rest, at least 5 minutes, before carving and a sharp knife will glide right through.

Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 22 min

Prep: 5 min
Inactive: 1 hr 5 min
Cook: 12 min

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

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2 (2-pound) Porterhouse steaks, about 2 inches thick

Grey sea salt

Coarse grind black pepper

Pure olive oil

Great balsamic vinegar

Directions

Let the steak rest outside the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cooking. Use a hot, clean, oiled grill. If pan roasting, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Liberally season the steak with the salt and pepper, coat with olive oil and press the seasoning into the meat. Grill the steaks for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side for medium rare. The fillet will cook a little faster than the strip loin. Move the steaks every 2 minutes or so for even cooking and a crispy exterior.
For pan roasting, heat a cast iron skillet with a little olive oil until smoking hot. Turn on the fan, open the window and stand back to avoid getting splattered! Using tongs, place the steaks in the center of the pan. Cook until the first side is seared brown, about 4 minutes. Turn the steaks and place the pan in the oven until the steaks are done, about 6 minutes for medium rare. Remove the steaks to a carving board and let rest for at least 5 minutes before carving.
Cut the steaks away from the bone and carve into 1/2-inch slices. Arrange the meat on warmed plates and drizzle a little bit of balsamic vinegar over the slices. Serve with some extra gray sea salt on the side.