GRILLED PEPPERCORN STEAK AND CARAMELIZED PECAN SALAD WITH CABERNET-CHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Grilled Peppercorn Steak and Caramelized Pecan Salad with Cabernet-Cherry Vinaigrette image

This is a summer favorite that I served in many restaurants, inspired by my 'oops, the Cabernet wine has turned again in the heat,' moments. This is usually the meal, but it may also be an appetizer salad as well. I offered it as both in my restaurants. The dressing and pecans keep for a few weeks unrefrigerated, and I often make these in bulk in advance for several meals. A simple dish, easily made by any level cook, it is a stylish, beautiful, and delectable entree salad fit for company.

Provided by Karen Barris Calabro

Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Salad Dressing Recipes Vinaigrette Dressing Recipes

Time 2h10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon grainy brown mustard
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons port wine
1 pound beef top sirloin, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 4 portions
2 cups Cabernet Sauvignon wine
½ cup dried cherries
1 teaspoon white sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup pecan pieces
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon white sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
7 ounces mesclun salad greens with spinach and/or arugula
1 carrot, peeled and shaved
4 radishes, thinly shaved

Steps:

Whisk together 1 tablespoon olive oil, brown mustard, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, cracked pepper, and port wine in a bowl; pour marinade into a resealable plastic bag. Add the beef, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (up to 5 days if necessary).
Bring Cabernet wine and dried cherries to a boil in a saucepan, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until wine has reduced to about 1/3 of its original volume, about 20 minutes. Dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt into the wine mixture and pour in extra-virgin olive oil. Remove from heat and let dressing cool.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a sheet pan.
Toss pecan pieces in a bowl with water, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl until thoroughly coated. Spread coated pecans into the prepared sheet pan.
Bake pecans in the preheated oven until the coating adheres to the nuts and pecans are fragrant and brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from pan and immediately transfer to a large heatproof plate to finish cooling. Be careful, candied pecans are extremely hot. Set pecans aside to cool.
Preheat an outdoor grill for very high heat and lightly oil the grate.
Remove steak pieces from marinade, shake off excess marinade, and grill until steaks are seared and done to your desired degree of rareness, 1 1/2 to 3 minutes per side. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a steak should read 145 degrees F (65 degrees C) for medium-well. Discard used marinade. Let steaks stand for 5 minutes after grilling before cutting into thin slices.
To serve, mix baby greens with shaved carrot and radishes in a salad bowl and divide onto 4 large serving plates. Lay slices of beef in a spoke pattern on top of greens and sprinkle each salad generously with candied pecans. Whisk dressing and drizzle over salads, distributing a few cherries onto each salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 800.1 calories, Carbohydrate 28.4 g, Cholesterol 48.9 mg, Fat 56.1 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 24.3 g, SaturatedFat 8.5 g, Sodium 996.1 mg, Sugar 15.6 g