Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak Salad with Tomatoes

This story originally appeared in the Spring issue of Cincinnati Health & Life Magazine

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1½ Tbs. chopped fresh thyme
• 1½ Tbs. chopped freshmarjoram
• 1½ Tbs. Dijon mustard
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 flank steak, about 1½ lbs.and 1–1½ inches thick
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 1 large head romaine lettuce,leaves torn into bite-sizedpieces
• 2–3 tomatoes, preferably heirloom,cut into wedges, plus ahandful of mixed cherry

Directions:

To make the vinaigrette, in a smallbowl, whisk together the vinegar,thyme, marjoram, mustard, garlic,and ¾ tsp. each salt and pepper.Add the oil in a thin stream, whiskingconstantly until the vinaigrette is wellblended. Place the steak in a shallowdish. Pour half of the vinaigrette overthe steak and turn to coat both sides.Cover and refrigerate for at least 4hours and up to 24 hours, turningoccasionally. Cover and refrigeratethe remaining vinaigrette. Removethe steak from the refrigerator 30minutes before grilling.

Prepare a charcoal or gas grillfor direct-heat cooking over highheat. Remove the steak from themarinade, reserving the marinade,and grill the steak, turning onceor twice and brushing with the reservedmarinade for up to 5 minutesbefore the steak is done, until nicelycharred and cooked to your liking,10–12 minutes total for medium-rare.Let the steak rest for 5–10 minutes.

While the steak is resting, place theonion wedges on the grill and cookuntil softened and nicely grill-marked,about 5 minutes. Thinly slice thesteak across the grain, reservingany juices that accumulate. Toss thelettuce with the reserved vinaigrette,and divide among individual plates.Top with the steak, onion wedgesand tomatoes. Drizzle the steak withthe meat juices and serve.

Flank steak is a great choice for salads,as it is full flavored but must betenderized by thin-slicing across thegrain—letting you toss it easily withother ingredients. Look for cherrytomatoes in mixed sizes and colorsfor visual interest.