Warm Steak Salad with Marinara Sauce
Photo: Leo Gong; Styling: Dan Brecker
Total Time 25 mins
AuthorSarah Epstein, Palo Alto, CA

Sunset recipe retester Sarah Epstein of Palo Alto, California, created this after trying something similar at a restaurant. The heat of the steaks melts the fresh mozzarella and the greens add a peppery bite. It’s become her kids’ favorite special meal.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Rub steaks with olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for very high heat (600°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 2 to 4 seconds). While grill heats, preheat cooking grate for at least 10 minutes.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, warm 4 dinner plates. Put marinara in a small saucepan and stir over medium-high heat until simmering, about 3 minutes; keep warm.

Step 3
3

Grill steaks, turning over once, until rare in the center (cut to test; meat will continue to cook after coming off the grill), 2 to 3 minutes for medium rare. Skirt steaks may need 2 to 3 minutes longer than New York steaks. Lift steaks to a platter.

Step 4
4

Quickly spoon marinara over center of each plate. Set steaks on marinara, arrange mozzarella slices on steaks, and mound arugula on cheese. Pour meat juices from platter over salads if you like.

Step 5
5

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Ingredients

 4 New York steaks, cut 1/2 in. thick (see Notes; about 1 1/2 lbs. total), fat trimmed
  Olive oil
  Salt and freshly ground black pepper
 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce, preferably made with balsamic vinegar
 7 to 8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
 4 ounces baby arugula or spinach (about 1 1/2 qts. very loosely packed)

Directions

Step 1
1

Rub steaks with olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for very high heat (600°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 2 to 4 seconds). While grill heats, preheat cooking grate for at least 10 minutes.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, warm 4 dinner plates. Put marinara in a small saucepan and stir over medium-high heat until simmering, about 3 minutes; keep warm.

Step 3
3

Grill steaks, turning over once, until rare in the center (cut to test; meat will continue to cook after coming off the grill), 2 to 3 minutes for medium rare. Skirt steaks may need 2 to 3 minutes longer than New York steaks. Lift steaks to a platter.

Step 4
4

Quickly spoon marinara over center of each plate. Set steaks on marinara, arrange mozzarella slices on steaks, and mound arugula on cheese. Pour meat juices from platter over salads if you like.

Step 5
5

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Warm Steak Salad with Marinara Sauce

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