Grilled Chili-Rubbed Steak Salad with Roasted Shallot Vinaigrette courtesy of Jeff Ruby's
Serves 6
. One 2-pound flank steak
. 1 tablespoon Chinese chili-garlic sauce or other chili paste
. 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
. 2 rosemary sprigs
. 2 thyme sprigs plus 1 1/2 teaspoons thyme leaves
. 1 large garlic clove, minced
. 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
. Salt and freshly ground pepper
. 1/2 pound shallots, peeled and halved
. 1/4 cup dry sherry
. 1/4 cup water
. 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
. 1 1/2 teaspoons grainy mustard
. 1/2 cup canola oil
. 2 medium red onions, cut into 8 wedges each
. 1 medium head frisée, torn into bite-size pieces
. 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
. 1 Bunch blanched & shocked Asparagus
. 1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 cup crumbled blue cheese (4 ounces)
1. In a medium nonreactive baking dish, rub the flank steak with the chili- garlic sauce. Top with the sliced yellow onion, rosemary and thyme sprigs, garlic and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season generously with salt and pepper; rub the seasonings into the steak. Let marinate at room temperature for 1 hour or refrigerate overnight.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°. In a small baking dish, toss the shallots with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the sherry and season with salt and pepper. Roast the shallots for 25 minutes. Add the water to the dish and bake, turning occasionally, until caramelized and softened, about 25 minutes longer. Let cool. Raise the oven temperature to 400°.
3. Transfer the shallots and any pan juices to a blender. Add the sherry vinegar, mustard, thyme leaves and remaining 2 tablespoons of sherry; process until smooth. With the machine on, add the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil and the canola oil and process until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
4. In a small baking dish, toss the red onions with 1/2 cup of the shallot vinaigrette and season lightly with salt and pepper. Roast for about 30 minutes, turning occasionally, until the onions are softened and caramelized in spots. Let cool, then separate the onion layers.
5. Meanwhile, light a grill or preheat the broiler; oil the grill grates. Discard the yellow onion and herb sprigs and grill the steak over a medium-hot fire, or broil, for about 13 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred in spots and medium rare. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let cool completely, then thinly slice the meat across the grain.
6. In a large bowl, toss the frisée with the cherry tomatoes, asparagus, parsley and roasted red onions. Add the sliced steak, blue cheese and 1/2 cup of the shallot vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper, toss gently and serve.
MAKE AHEAD The shallot vinaigrette can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. The red onions can be roasted and the steak can be grilled 1 day ahead. Refrigerate and bring to room temperature, then slice the steak before serving.
