Classic Matambre Recipes

STUFFED FLANK STEAK (MATAMBRE)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Use a boning knife to butterfly flank steak: Working across the grain, make a cut down the center, but only halfway through meat. At the top of that cut, make perpendicular cuts, one in each direction, this time with the grain. Again, cut only halfway into steak. Repeat perpendicular cuts at the other end of the center cut. Cuts should resemble the letter H.
• At the top of the original center cut, hold the knife parallel to the meat and insert knife. Slice toward you, making a pocket. This cut should almost reach the outer edge, halfway through the meat's thickness. Repeat on other side. Open the flaps.
• Season meat liberally on both sides with salt and pepper, then place it cut side up, wide side facing you. Season with marjoram, cumin and garlic and cover it with a fairly even layer of parsley-cilantro mix. Then arrange carrots, olives and onions horizontally over the full width of the meat. Scatter a relatively even layer of watercress over all.
• Roll meat up from the bottom like a jellyroll; grain of steak should run length of roll. Tie in three or four places with butcher's twine.
• Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or roasting pan large enough to accommodate rolled steak. Deeply brown it on all sides, about 15 minutes total, then transfer pan to oven and roast for about 30 minutes, until meat is cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 30 minutes before serving. Or, put meat in a clean baking dish, weight it with a plate with something heavy on it and chill overnight. Take matambre from refrigerator and slice it into 1/2-inch to 1-inch pieces about an hour before serving at room temperature.

CLASSIC MATAMBRE

Steps:

• Step 1: Butterfly the flank steak: Position the flank steak lengthwise at the edge of the cutting board. Place one hand on top to hold it flat. Using a sharp, slender knife, cut through the side of the steak to butterfly it (open it up). As you cut, fold open the top to help you see what you're doing. Open the meat up like a book. ShareTweetPin14 Shares Step 2: Place a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, 24 inches long, on your work surface, shiny side down. (It's okay to double up two smaller pieces of aluminum foil.) Arrange the strips of bacon on a sheet of aluminum foil, running parallel to an edge and leaving 1-inch spaces between slices. Lay the butterflied flank steak on top of the bacon, with the grain running parallel to the bacon and season with salt, pepper, oregano, and vinegar. ShareTweetPin14 Shares Step 3: Starting at the edge of the meat closest to you, arrange kielbasa, celery, carrot, ham, cheese, and bell pepper on top of the steak in neat parallel rows, alternating colors. Repeat this sequence until all the filling ingredients are used up. Leave the last 2 inches of meat uncovered. ShareTweetPin14 Shares Step 4: Starting at the edge closest to you and using the aluminum foil to help you, roll up the meat with the filling to make a tight roll. Wrap the foil around the meat, twisting the ends of the foil. Using the tip of a paring knife, poke holes in the aluminum foil at 1-inch intervals. Tie the meat in several places with butcher's string. The matambre can be prepared up to this stage several hours ahead. Store, covered, in the refrigerator. ShareTweetPin14 Shares Step 5: Set up the grill for direct grilling and preheat to medium. When ready to cook, place the roll on the hot grate and grill until cooked through and the meat is very tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours, turning with tongs every 15 or 20 minutes. If using a charcoal grill, you'll need to add 24 to 30 fresh coals after 1 hour. To test for doneness, use an instant-read meat thermometer: The internal temperature should be about 180°F. Transfer the matambre to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Remove the string and foil and cut the roll crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Serve hot or at room temperature. ShareTweetPin14 Shares

STUFFED FLANK STEAK (MATAMBRE)

Steps:

• Trim any fat from the meat, split it horizontally and pound it gently with a mallet to flatten. Place meat in a shallow glass dish. Combine the marinade ingredients and pour them over the meat. Cover, refrigerate and marinate 4 to 5 hours or overnight.
• Remove the meat from the marinade, place on a flat surface and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover the meat with the spinach leaves and arrange the carrots across the meat.
• Carefully roll the meat jellyroll fashion, so the grain runs the length of the roll, and tie it with a string at 1inch intervals.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large pan over moderate heat. Add the meat and sear until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Place the roll in an ovenproof casserole dish and pour the beef stock over to cover the meat.
• Place the meat in the oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until desired doneness. To serve hot, remove the meat and place it on a platter. Let the meat rest for 10 minutes, carefully remove the strings and slice the roll into 3/4 inch slices. Serve with Salsa Criolla.
• In a medium bowl, combine the onions, tomatoes, jalapeno, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. Whisk together the oil and vinegar in a small bowl and pour over the tomato mixture. Mix well, cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Adjust seasonings before serving with the meat.
• about 2 cups of salsa

ARGENTINE STUFFED FLANK STEAK: MATAMBRE

Steps:

• Butterfly the steak by slicing lengthwise and opening it up like a book. Pound the meat gently with a mallet to flatten and even out the thickness; rub all sides with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper.
• With the steak lying lengthwise, scatter the spinach leaves evenly over the surface of the meat, leaving a 1-inch border all around. Arrange the carrots in long rows across the steak, about 2 inches apart. Put the egg strips and olives between the carrot rows. Scatter the onion rings and cheese over the filling, sprinkle with salt and red pepper flakes. Carefully roll the meat up over the filling, from bottom to top, into a long thick cylinder (jellyroll-style.) Tie with butcher's twine to hold it together, as you would a roast.
• Coat a large Dutch oven or pan with olive oil and put over moderate heat. Lay the stuffed steak in the hot oil and sear until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour in the wine and enough water to come up almost to the top of the meat. Toss in the head of garlic, onion, and herbs to flavor the broth. Cover, and slowly simmer on medium-low heat until the meat is fork-tender, about 1 1/2 hours, turning the meat over once halfway through cooking. Taste the broth before serving and adjust spices, if necessary.
• Transfer the matambre to a cutting board and let rest for 15 minutes. Remove the kitchen strings and cut crosswise into 1-inch slices ¿ the colors of the filling will look absolutely gorgeous spiraled in the steak. Spoon some of the sauce over the meat and serve. Matambre is good hot, room temperature, or cold.

MATAMBRE

Steps:

• Butterfly the steaks by slicing them horizontally from 1 long side to within 1/2-inch of the opposite side. Pound the steaks between plastic wrap to flatten them further. Trim off all the sinew and fat.
• Lay 1 steak cut side up on a jelly-roll pan. Sprinkle the steaks with the vinegar, garlic, and thyme. Cover and marinate, refrigerated, for 3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Lay the steaks end to end, in the direction of the grain of the meat, so that they overlap. Pound the overlapping area to join them securely. Spread the spinach leaves evenly over the meat and arrange the carrots across the grain of the meat in parallel rows about 3 inches apart. Place the eggs between the carrots. Scatter the onion rings over the meat, sprinkle with parsley, salt, and pepper.
• Carefully roll the matambre with the grain, jelly roll style, into a thick long cylinder. Tie with butcher's twine at 1-inch intervals. Place the matambre in a large casserole or roasting pan along with the beef stock. Add enough cold water to come a third of the way up the roll. Cover tightly and bake 1 hour.
• Serve warm or chilled, sliced into 2-inch thick slices.

MATAMBRE - ARGENTINE ROLLED, STUFFED FLANK STEAK

Steps:

• Butterfly the steaks by slicing them horizontally from one long side to within 1/2 inch (1 cm) of the opposite side.
• Pound the steaks between plastic wrap to flatten them further.
• Trim of all sinew and fat.
• Lay one steak cut side up on a 12x18-inch jelly-roll pan.
• Sprinkle with half the vinegar, half the garlic, and half the thyme.
• Cover with the other steak, also cut side up, and sprinkle with remaining vinegar, garlic, and thyme.
• Cover and marinate for 6 hours at room temperature, or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Lay the steaks end-to-end, in the direction of the grain of the meat, so that they overlap by about two inches.
• Pound the overlapping area to join them securely.
• Spread the spinach leaves evenly over the meat, and arrange the carrots across the grain of the meat in parallel rows about 3 inches apart.
• Place the egg quarters between the carrots.
• Scatter the onion rings over the meat, and sprinkle the surface with the parsley, salt and pepper.
• Carefully roll the matambre with the grain, jelly-roll style, into a thick, long cylinder.
• Tie at 1 inch intervals.
• Place the matambre in a large casserole or roasting pan along with the beef stock.
• Add enough cold water to come a third of the way up the roll.
• Cover tightly and bake at 375°F for one hour.
• To serve hot, remove the matambre to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Remove strings and cut into 1/4 inch slices.
• Moisten with a little pan liquid, which can also be served on the side.
• Alternately, press the matambre under weights to until the juices drain off, refrigerate thoroughly, and slice as above.