Grilled Steak, Chimichurri, Fennel Salad
Ingredients
For the fennel salad:
- 2 cups mixed salad leaves
- 1 fennel white bulb; sliced lengthwise finely
- 1 small red bell pepper; sliced lengthwise finely
- 1 small red onion; sliced lengthwise finely
- Fennel fronds; for garnish
For the vinaigrette:
- 4 tbsp strawberry port wine
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to season
- Freshly milled black pepper to season
For the chimichurri salsa:
- 1 cup fresh continental parsley leaves; finely chopped
- 1 cup fresh coriander; finely chopped
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves; finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove; crushed and finely chopped
- 2 tbsp strawberry port wine red wine vinegar can also be used
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to season
- Dried chilli flakes; a pinch or more to suit your preferences
For the steak:
- 3 Scotch fillet steaks the best quality you can buy
- Smoked curry flavoured sea salt rub
- Olive oil
- Freshly milled black pepper to season
Instructions
To prepare the salad:
- Cut all the vegetables and place in a bowl. Refrigerate till serving time.
- To prepare the dressing, mix all the ingredients given under vinaigrette. Vigorously shake well to form an emulsion and keep aside.
- Dress the salad just before serving (remember to shake the vinaigrette again) and garnish with fennel fronds.
To prepare the chimichurri:
- Combine the chopped leaves, garlic, port wine, olive oil, salt and chilli flakes. Taste and adjust balance if necessary. Refrigerate till serving time.
To prepare the steak:
- Heat the grill to smoking hot; most people make the mistake of not heating the grill enough so make sure its smoking hot.
- Crush the smoked sea salt lightly (the salt crystals were chunky).
- Rub olive oil onto both sides of the steak well and then rub the smoked sea salt all over the steak.
- Place the steak pieces on the grill lengthwise; after a minute turn the steak breadthwise on the same side to get the nice criss cross marks. Half a minute later, flip the steaks over and repeat the same (almost one minute each). This is an approximate time for a medium done steak.
- Remove and rest for 1-2 minutes before serving.
Notes
If you do not have strawberry port wine, use vinegar, red wine vinegar, balsamic or any other port wine. Orange juice is also a great one to experiment with.
If you cannot get the smoked sea salt rub, use any spice rub of your choice or just salt and pepper.
If you prefer the steak medium well, then place in the oven at 180°C for 2-3 minutes.
Timings are always an approximate as the cooking times will vary according to the cut and quality of meat that you are using. So go by the feel of the meat and cook to your preferences.