Archives for posts with tag: skirt steak

Last time I was 8 months pregnant the average temperature outside was 32 degrees. I felt pretty good, and my biggest complaint was that I didn’t always get a seat on the subway because I had to wear a big, winter coat which made it hard to tell that I was pregnant. Now, it’s a different story. It is hot and humid and I feel HUGE. I pretty much always get a seat on the subway, but I am exhausted!

Meanwhile, the markets are packed with produce and I am dying to cook. This week alone, I’ve picked up blueberries, cherries, nectarines, cucumbers, summer squash, tomatoes and even the first corn. It is awesome, but some nights after work I am just too tired to make anything. Fortunately, fruits and vegetables this time of the year are so delicious and fresh that you don’t have to do too much to enjoy them. Hopefully easy summer recipes will get me through the next few weeks!

Endless Bounty

The kitchen counter will look like this for the next few months.

Meal #1: Soy Lemon Skirt Steak with Arugula + Salted Potatoes
Meal #2: Swordfish Parmesan and Roasted Broccoli
Meal #3: Chicken Francese with Noodles + Roasted Asparagus
Meal #4: Pork Chops with Cherry Sauce + Sugar Snap Peas

Your grocery list, excluding the usual pantry items: 

broccoli – 1 large head
shallot – 2
garlic – 1 head
lemons – 5
sugar snap peas – 1 lb.
cherries – 1 cup
arugula – 1 bunch
asparagus – 1 large bunch
potatoes – 1 1/2 pounds
rosemary – 1 bunch
eggs – 1 dozen
white wine
red wine
low-salt chicken broth – 1 cup
butter (if you don’t already have it)
brown sugar (if you don’t already have it)
soy sauce (if you don’t already have it)
garlic powder (if you don’t already have it)
capers (if you don’t already have it)
flour (if you don’t already have it)
Parmesan cheese (if you don’t already have it)
butter (if you don’t already have it)
swordfish steaks (6-8 ounces per person), skin removed
skirt steak – 1 1/2 pounds
skinless, boneless, thin chicken breasts – 1 1/2 pounds
pork chops, bone-in – 1 per person, approx. 6-8 oz each

Soy Lemon Skirt Steak with Arugula

This is so delicious. Skirt steak is pretty amazing and easy to prepare and I usually just grill it with some olive oil and salt and pepper, but I love this marinade. This is a Martha recipe, whom you know I love. She used flank steak, but I stuck to my tried and true skirt steak.
Soy Lemon Steak w Arugula

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
2 TB. packed light-brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 1/2 pounds skirt steak
1/2 bunch arugula (about 2 ounces), leaves torn if large
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Lemon wedges, for serving

Whisk together oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, and garlic in a bowl. Place skirt steak inside a large resealable plastic bag. Add marinade, press out excess air, and seal. Let stand, turning bag occasionally, at least 1 hour at room temperature, or up to 6 hours in refrigerator (if refrigerating, let come to room temperature before grilling).

Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Remove meat from marinade, reserving marinade, and pat off excess with paper towels. Grill, uncovered, turning once, until a thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 130 degrees for medium-rare, about 5 minutes on each side. Transfer to a cutting board and let stand 10 minutes.

Transfer marinade to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.

Slice meat against the grain and arrange on a platter. Arrange arugula on top; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons sauce over meat and arugula. Serve with remaining sauce and lemon wedges.

 Salted Potatoes

Salted potatoes are an upstate New York speciality and they are awesome. They are super simple; basically you just boil peeled, or unpeeled, potatoes (your choice) in very salty water. They key is to not be afraid of adding a LOT of salt. The potatoes will pick up just a bit of the saltiness which makes them much more interesting than regular boiled potatoes.

1 1/2 pounds potatoes (peeled or unpeeled, your choice) – half or quarter if large
water
1/4 cup (ish) salt

Add salt to water, place potatoes into water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, bring water down to a simmer and let cook for approximately 15-20 minutes. Potatoes are finished when a knife easily slips in. Drain potatoes and toss with butter.