Giddy Up Steak With Onion Date Compote Recipes

GIDDY-UP STEAK WITH ONION-DATE COMPOTE

Steps:

• For the rub: In a small bowl, stir together the rub ingredients, making sure to smooth out any brown sugar nuggets. Then, pour half the mixture over 1 side of the flank steak and massage into the meat. Turn the steak over and pour the other half over the meat and massage in. Set aside on the counter up to 2 hours to marinate. You could also marinate the meat overnight in the fridge.
• For the compote: Heat the olive oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering (not smoking), add the onions, a pinch of salt, and stir to coat with oil. Cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn a deep caramel color, about 45 minutes.
• Warm your grill or grill pan over medium heat.
• When the onions are caramelized, add the dates, vinegar, and water. Stir and cook, covered, for another 15 minutes.
• Fold a paper towel in 4, pour a little vegetable or canola oil onto it, and wipe down your grill pan.
• Once the grill pan is nice and hot (oil lightly smoking), throw your rubbed-down meat on. It should sizzle upon contact - if it doesn't, your pan wasn't hot enough. This is how you ensure a nice crust on the steak! After 5 minutes on 1 side, flip the steak over, and cook another 4 to 5. Check the temperature; I like my flank steak done medium-rare, so I pull it off as soon as the thermometer register 125 degrees F. Pull onto a chopping board, and tent with foil; allow your meat to rest for 5 minutes.
• Slice the steak thinly against the grain on the bias; if you don't, your precious steak won't be incredibly tender and deeply unsatisfying! Serve with a dollop of onion compote on top.

DATE COMPOTE WITH FRESH PEARS

Steps:

• In a medium saute pan, melt butter over low heat. When it has melted, add the pear slices and toss to coat. Chop the dates into small pieces and add to the pears. Add the honey and a cinnamon and cook until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add a little water to loosen, if necessary. Add the zest and juice from the lemon and stir.
• Serve with pancakes, if desired, and a dollop of sour cream.

PRETZEL-FRIED STEAK WITH MANGO-ONION GRAVY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• For the steaks: Process the pretzels in a food processor until fine. Grab 3 shallow bowls. In one, whisk together the eggs and milk. In another, mix together the flour, salt, pepper, dried fenugreek leaves, paprika, ground coriander, and ground cumin. Pour the pretzel crumbs into the last bowl. Save 2 tablespoons of the flavored flour for the gravy.
• Make yourself an assembly line: dip 1 steak on both sides in the flavored flour, making sure it's well coated, but dust off the excess. Then dip it quickly in the egg and lift, allowing the excess to drain back into the bowl. Finally, dunk both sides in the pretzel crumbs. Repeat with remaining steaks. Place the coated steaks on a sheet tray fitted with a cooling rack and let the steaks rest for 15 minutes to let the coating adhere to the meat.
• For the gravy: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add the onions and a pinch salt. Sweat until the onions are translucent and softened. Add the reserved 2 tablespoons of flavored flour and cook a few minutes until the flour no longer smells raw. Add the stock, mango chutney, and soy sauce. Stir, so that no lumps form, and bring to a boil. Cook until the sauce thickens to a gravy consistency, 5 to 10 minutes. Taste and re-season, if necessary.
• In a large cast iron skillet, add enough oil to come up the sides by 1-inch. Heat it over medium heat until shimmering; you'll know the oil is hot enough when a pinch of flour sizzles upon contact with the oil. Line a sheet tray with paper towels and place a cooling rack on top.
• Gently lay the steaks into the oil; you may have to do this in batches. Cook each side until golden, about 3 minutes. When both sides are cooked, lay the steaks on the paper towel-lined sheet tray and pop into the oven to keep warm while you do the next batch.
• Serve the steaks with gravy spooned over the top.

BROILED TUNA STEAKS WITH ONION COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat a charcoal grill or broiler.
• Place the tuna steaks on a flat surface, and cut out the dark streak of meat, if any. Brush with olive oil on both sides, and sprinkle with salt, thyme and pepper flakes. Cover with plastic wrap, and let stand for 15 minutes before broiling.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a heavy casserole, and add the onions. Cover. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the onions start to brown, uncover and add the vinegar, clove and Tabasco. Add salt to taste. Cook briefly, stirring, until the vinegar has almost evaporated. Stir in the capers and honey. Cover tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes more.
• Sprinkle the tuna on both sides with the cracked peppercorns.
• If you are using a grill, rub the rack lightly with oil. Place the fish on the grill. If you are using a broiler, place the fish on a rack about 4 inches from the heat. Cook for 3 minutes, and turn. For rare, cook for another 3 minutes.
• To serve, place equal portions of onion compote on the side of four warmed plates. Place a tuna steak on each plate, and sprinkle with basil.