Thank you to the Olive Garden website, from whom I stole this image.
This is a copy-cat of one of my favorite Olive Garden dishes. They use filet medallions, but I've used slices off a chuck roast and a cheap flank steak. Both were delicious. Feeds 4, or 2 with huge leftovers.
You will need:
Some kind of steak.
Balsamic vinegar (something like 1/2 cup)
Black pepper
Fettuccine (make your own if you can)
For the sauce:
1 pint heavy cream
1 stick (1/2 C) unsalted butter, room temp
About 1 cup fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, Asiago, or a combo (I like the combo)
About 4 oz spinach (frozen is fine. But thaw it first.)
Gorgonzola cheese
1) Set the steak out to rest and press the freshly ground black pepper into the meat on both sides.
2) Pour balsamic vinegar into a small pan and reduce to a syrup (you might need more. I don't measure)
3) Cook pasta while you are doing everything else.
4) In a high-sided saute pan or medium pot, combine the heavy cream and butter and heat until thickened, whisking occasionally. When thickened and slightly reduced, add in the grated parm-regg/asiago cheese and let melt. Then add in the spinach, fresh ground black pepper, and some of the Gorgonzola crumbles.
5) Reserve half of the balsamic syrup and use remaining half to brush steaks on all sides. Transfer to a hot pan and cook to desired done-ness. (I usually cook them until medium-rare and then remove, let sit, slice against the grain into very thin pieces, and then transfer back to the pan for a few seconds before serving to get to medium-well.)
6) Add the pasta to the sauce and let sit for a minute to absorb the flavors. Plate, add the steak, drizzle with a little of the remaining syrup and top with some Gorgonzola crumbles and black pepper. Salt to taste at the table*.
*Note: I have started cooking without salt to reduce the sodium intake in my household. With the pungent cheeses and vinegar, the addition of salt (on the meat before cooking) can be too much. I strongly suggest letting the flavors meld together and then adding salt if you feel it's necessary. I do, my husband never does.
