Sabana Chimichurri Salad Recipes

SABANA CHIMICHURRI SALAD

Steps:

• In a small hot skillet, saute the mushrooms in olive oil. Add the chopped garlic and then deglaze the pan with red wine vinegar. Remove from the heat and cool. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the watercress, carrot, red bell pepper, and jicama. Add the cooled mushrooms and toss lightly to combine. Set aside.
• To flatten the steaks, coat 4 (15 by 12-inch) sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper with 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil each. Sandwich each tenderloin, with the grain running vertically, between 2 sheets (with the oiled side facing the meat). Flatten each steak with the flat side of a heavy cleaver or mallet, using steady, even sweeping strokes from the center out as you would roll pie dough, until the steak is a thin oval of about 14 by 10 inches. It should be thin like a blanket, hence the name sabana. This process takes about 5 minutes per steak.
• Preheat a lightly oiled very large nonstick skillet or cast-iron pan over high heat. Peel the paper off the steaks and brush both sides with the Chimichurri Dressing. Sear steaks, 1 at a time, in the hot pan, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. The cooking time will not be long because the steaks have been pounded so thin.
• Melt the butter in a small hot skillet. Crack the eggs into the pan and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook eggs sunny side up.
• To serve, place 1 steak on a large serving plate. Toss the salad with the remaining Chimichurri dressing to coat; serve the salad over the steak. Slide a fried egg on top of each and serve.
• In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients.

PORK CHIMICHURRI SALAD

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine olive oil, vinegar, parsley, oregano leaves, and chipotle and puree. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Preheat a broiler and arrange a rack 6 inches from the heat. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking oil.
• Place pork on the baking sheet and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Broil until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Remove pork from broiler and let rest 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine greens, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and chimichurri dressing to taste. Arrange salad on plates or a platter.
• Cut chops into 1/4-inch slices. Arrange on top of salad, drizzle with additional dressing, and serve.
• * Instead of making the Chimichurri from scratch, you can also purchase ready-made pesto sauce, mix it with the vinegar and the chipotle then season it according to taste.
• Serve this satisfying salad with a crusty roll or a small pile of tortilla chips. To vary the recipe, change the greens to spinach, arugula, or romaine. Add sliced red onion, black olives, or shredded carrots. You can even grill or pan-sear the pork chops instead of broiling.

SABANA

Steps:

• Place the beans and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, until soft throughout, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Fry the bacon in a medium skillet over low heat until golden. Spoon off excess fat. Add the onion and saute until lightly golden. Add the beans with their liquid, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook for 2 minutes longer. The mixture should remain thin and soupy. Keep warm. This may be prepared a day or 2 in advance and refrigerated. Reheat before serving.
• To flatten the steaks, coat four 15 x 12-inch sheets of plastic or parchment paper with 1/2 teaspoon of the oil each. Sandwich each tenderloin, with the grain running vertically, between two sheets (with the oiled side facing the meat). Flatten each one with the flat side of a heavy cleaver or mallet, using steady even sweeping strokes from the center out as you would roll pie dough, until the steak is a thin oval of about 14 x 10 inches. It will take about 5 minutes per steak.
• Preheat a lightly oiled very large nonstick skillet or cast iron pan. Peel the paper off the steaks and season all over with salt and pepper. Sear, one at a time, in the hot pan 30 to 40 seconds per side. Coat each of two large serving plates (platters would be great) with the warm bean mixture. Top each with a hot steak.
• Prepare the garnish by melting the butter in a small hot skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the scallions and jalapenos with salt and pepper to taste and the lime juice for 1 minute. Sprinkle over the steaks. Serve immediately.