Skirt Steak With Orange And Fregola Salad Recipes

GRILLED SKIRT STEAK WITH SHAVED FENNEL, ORANGE, AND GREEN OLIVE TAPENADE

Steps:

• Lay the skirt steak flat on a baking sheet and season evenly on both sides with the chili powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside so the flavors can sink in a bit.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rapid boil over medium-high heat. Add the fregola and stir with a wooden spoon. Cook the pasta for 15 minutes until the pellets are al dente. Drain and cool.
• Preheat an outdoor grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat. Rub the grill with oil to prevent sticking. Grill the onion slices for 2 minutes, turning often, until charred on both sides. Remove them from the grill and set aside.
• Lay the steaks on the grill and cook, turning with tongs from time to time, to sear well on all sides; this takes about 8 minutes total for medium-rare. Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let rest for 2 or 3 minutes to allow the juices to recirculate.
• In the meantime, make the salad. In a large mixing bowl, combine the fregola, grilled onion, fennel, radishes, arugula, lemon juice, and olive oil. Toss to combine; season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, divide the salad among 4 or 6 plates. Arrange 4 or 5 slices of orange on top of each plate. Cut each skirt steak into 3 equal pieces, then turn each piece sideways and cut into thin slices against the grain, ensuring tenderness. Shingle the sliced meat on top of the salad. Spoon some of the tapenade on top and serve immediately.
• Put all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse 3 or 4 times. Scrape down the sides of the processor and pulse 2 more times; the tapenade should be coarsely chopped. It will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• Fregola
• Fregola, sometimes called Italian couscous, is a terrific addition to your pantry. It's much more interesting than regular pasta and has a unique texture. The pasta dough is rubbed by hand to form little pellets, which are then toasted to give a distinctive nutty flavor. If hard pressed, you can use Israeli couscous, but there really is no substitute for fregola. It is worth getting your hands on. It also makes great risotto (page 116).

GRILLED SKIRT-STEAK SALAD

Steps:

• Heat a grill to medium-high. Season steak with salt and pepper. Brush corn and onion with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Lightly brush grates with vegetable oil.
• Grill corn, turning occasionally, until lightly charred, 10 to 12 minutes. Grill onion until lightly charred and tender, 6 to 8 minutes a side. Transfer vegetables to a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, cut kernels from cobs and coarsely chop onion.
• Meanwhile, grill steak until a thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 125°F for medium-rare, about 3 minutes a side. Transfer to a plate; drizzle with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette. Let stand 10 minutes, then slice against the grain.
• In a large salad bowl or platter, layer romaine, bell pepper, tomatoes, corn, and onion. Season to taste; drizzle with half of remaining vinaigrette. Top with steak and feta. Serve with remaining dressing on the side.