Tuscan Steak with Escarole and Beans



The winter months limit the use of one of my favorite cooking methods - grilling. I have been using my grill pan quite a lot lately, and I also roast steaks and fish at a high temperature in the oven. But neither method yields the same char and smokey flavor of my Weber grill. Oh how I long for the warm summer months when we eat dinner on the deck and grill coffee rubbed steaks, barbecued chicken, teriyaki salmon, and balsamic glazed vegetables.

After picking up a steak at the market this afternoon, I decided outdoor grilling in 21 degree weather was not an option. I instead roasted my Italian-seasoned flank steak in the oven. Tuscan Steak with Escarole and Beans was tonight's dinner and well received by all family members. I am assuming that it was well received because everyone ate some part of the meal and did not return to the kitchen to eat again for about two hours.

An ingredient in the marinade was tomato paste. This is the brand that I have been favoring lately. The tomato paste comes in a tube like toothpaste. I like this packaging better than those little 6 ounce cans of tomato paste readily available at the market. With my tube of tomato paste, I can use just a tablespoon, screw the top back on and store the remainder in the refrigerator until it is needed again. Look for it in the canned tomato aisle at your local grocery store.

I can't wait until the summer when I can repeat this recipe and use my grill instead of my oven.

Tuscan Steak with Escarole and Beans

serves 4 - 5

1 1/2 pounds of flank steak
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon ground sage
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

olive oil
1 head escarole, washed, drained and chopped in bite-sized pieces
1 cup kidney beans
1 cup pinto beans
salt
pepper
chopped parsley for garnish

In a small mixing bowl, combine olive oil, sherry vinegar, tomato paste, garlic, sage, oregano, salt and pepper. Place steak in a resealable bag and add marinade. Let marinate for about an hour or up to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Remove steak from marinade and place on a baking sheet. Roast in oven for about 8 - 9 minutes. Turn steak over and continue cooking for an additional 4 - 5 minutes. The internal temperature of the steak should be between 120 and 125 degrees. Remove steak from oven and cover with foil. Let steak rest for 10 - 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat a large saute pan to medium high and add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the escarole and saute for about 4 - 5 minutes. Add the beans and heat through. Season with salt and pepper.

To serve, thinly slice steak against the grain. Place escarole and beans on a platter and top with steak. Pour any accumulated pan juices over the top and sprinkle with parsley.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is so tempting. What a great dish! (I like that tomato paste too)

Robin said...

I love tomato paste in the tube, it is so hard to find here though. I did have to pick up a few tubes in Boston when I was there last. Just a dab adds so much flavor to a dish. This is a great recipe for Flank steak, will bookmark!

Anonymous said...

I so yearn for the long warm day's of summer too! Tuscan Steak looks great - I love the Italian style of serving meats and salads.

kat said...

We love that type of tomato paste too. The cans are such a waste when you only need a tablespoon

Sara said...

Wow, this looks great. I think escarole is an underutilized ingredient, it's so delicious!

That Girl said...

I have been looking for tomato paste in a tube forever! I can't find it by me, so I'm stuck freezing my tomato paste in ice cube trays.

Colleen said...

That's the tomato paste I use too! This looks delicious - I would like to try this with a tuna steak maybe as well!

Robin said...

How long does the tomato paste laste once opened in the fridge?

amycaseycooks said...

robin - it states on the packaging that it lasts indefinately and should be refrigerated after opening. I have a hard time thinking that anything last indefinately. I usually finsih a tube in 3 - 4 months and havn't noticed a difference in quality from the first time I use it until I finish a tube.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I too have a tube of tomato paste in my refrigerator and find it is one of the best convenience items on the market. I never liked throwing away what I didn't use out of the tomato paste can so I froze the remainder in a baggie in the freezer to use later. This one in a tube is much easier to use with less waste.
I just discovered your blog and like it very much. See you soon.
Sam