Recipes
Published on 19/11/2015
Comments 42

Fancy Steak and Chips

written by

flat-iron-steak162

This is a sponsored post.

The Koala and I love a good steak, but I don’t order steak when dining out because it’s so easy to cook at home for a fraction of the price. I often go for the fattier steaks because that’s what my tastes buds like, but when I heard there was a leaner steak coming out that still tastes good, I was all for it.

flatiron-diagramThe flat-iron steak is a relatively unknown cut to the kiwi palate. A butcher’s secret, this cut is for people in the know. It is called the oyster blade steak in NZ and Australia. It is known in the US as the flat-iron steak and in the UK as the butler’s steak. Affectionately known as the ugly steak, this flat, rectangular cut comes from the shoulder and is trimmed to make it very lean. Because it is so lean, it’s important not to overcook a flat-iron steak. Just 3 minutes on each side in a hot pan and 5 minutes resting time.

This month, Silver Fern Farms are launching the flat-iron steak to the kiwi market and I was invited to cook with and sample this new cut. A product of grass fed free-range beef, these steaks are aged for 21 days, naturally developing the flavour and tenderness, and only picking the best cuts using their EQ system (read more here). Silver Fern Farms flat-iron steak can be purchased at all leading supermarkets. Look for their 220 gram vacuum packs in the meat section or to find out more, visit www.silverfernfarms.co.nz

flat-iron-steak181

This quick cooking, tender cut can be used in sandwiches, salads or served with chips as I have done here. Steak and chips is a classic UK combination found in restaurants and pubs. I’ve fancied it up a little with spiced carrots, kumara and parsnip in place of potato and added balsamic caramelised onions. This dish is great served with beer or a robust red.

This recipe has 3 parts, the longest portion being the balsamic onions which can be made ahead of time but I would recommend starting this first, then preparing the veggie chips while the onions are caramelising. The steak should be cooked right at the end.

flat-iron-steak179

 

Fancy steak and chips:
Flat-iron steak with oven baked vegetables fries and balsamic onions

Balsamic onions

Ingredients

  • 3 onions
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons water

Preparation

  1. Cut the top and bottom off each onion and remove skin. Slice thinly lengthways and set aside.
  2. Heat a large sauté pan and add oil. Once hot, add onions and stirring with a wooden spoon to coat the onions in oil. Fry on high heat for 5 minutes, stir in salt and sugar and turn heat down to the lowest setting. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, making sure to scrap the bottom of the pan. You may add up to 2 tablespoons of water if the onions start getting a bit dry and stick to the pan. At 20 minutes, add balsamic vinegar and cook for a further 20 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan.
  3. Makes 1.5 cups. Extra onions can be refrigerated for future use.

Oven baked veggie chips

Ingredients

  • 1 kumara
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 parsnips
  • 2 tablespoons duck fat, softened
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
  2. Peel root vegetables and cut into sticks suitable for chunky fries. Place chips an airtight plastic bag and with softened duck fat, salt, cumin and turmeric, twist or seal bag and massage until the chips are well coated in fat and seasonings.
  3. Line a baking sheet with baking paper and tip veggie chips onto it, spread out in 1 layer and bake at 200°C for 30 minutes, flipping once.
  4. Remove from oven and taste a chip, season to taste as required.

Flat-Iron steaks (butler steak)

Ingredients

  • 1 pack Silver Ferm Farms Beef Flat Iron Steaks (220 grams)
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • Salt and pepper

Preparation

  1. Season the steaks with salt and pepper. Heat a heavy pan and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once oil is hot, cook the steaks for 3 minutes per side.
  2. Remove from heat and rest in a warm place for 5 minutes.
  3. Slice thinly and serve immediately.
This entry was posted in: Recipes
Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

by

I am Genie, a graphic designer/photographer obsessed with food and bunnies. I live in Whanganui, New Zealand with my husband, The Koala and our two rabbits, Kobe and Bento. I write about my hedonistic ways and I love the mantra "Eat well, travel often". I prefer not to write about myself in third person. www.bunnyeatsdesign.com

42 Comments

  2. Aimee says

    That looks so yummy! Do you think a béarnaise sauce would go well with it or do you think it would clash with the balsamic onions?

    Reply
  3. Alisha Barbara says

    You’re right, I hadn’t heard of this cut of steak before! I am excited to see it come to stores, so I can try it out! It sounds good! ❤ xx

    Reply
  4. Mandy says

    You are right that it’s so easy to cook your own and best of all is that you can cooked to your own liking. Pink inside and sligtly burnt outside, your steaks looks delicious and tender. Your post reminded me to use up the reserved duck fats that I saved to make fries.

    Reply
  5. Ari Omipi says

    I love what you’ve done with this Genie! This looks so delicious. I’ll have to try it out for myself!

    Reply
  8. Jam says

    Veggie chips sounds like such a good idea! Thanks for stopping by my humble blog and liking my post on my mini beef pastries. I’m in love with your blog, the layout, content and photography! 🙂 Come again soon!

    Reply
  14. Nobel says

    I love your blog~ your photos are so beautiful and layout is so clean i really enjoyed reading it! thanks for being an inspiration!

    Nobel
    nobelliving.co

    Reply
  15. judyagiu says

    YUM! Beautiful photos, and great recipe. That meat looks so tender. My mouth is WATERING!!!

    Reply
  16. Wildlily says

    Sounds delicious. I was pleased to discover your site and will visit often. Great, inspiring recipes.

    Reply

  19. Pingback: free steak | alifesgayventure

  21. TheHappyHealthyChannel says

    Thanks for checking my blog out! I love this recipe! Even though I don’t eat steak, the veggie chips and the balsamic onions sound mega yum!

    Reply
  23. nancyruth says

    This looks delicious. I might try the veggie fried/chips with the steak cut we have in the house now. I will have to change 200 degrees into Fahrenheit. Not sure what a kumara is so I might use carrots and sweet potatoes.

    Reply
  24. petra08 says

    I so agree with you regarding eating steak out. You are so lucky to get steak to try and it looks delicious! I always buy the skirt steak and find I prefer this to any other cut but I like the flat iron as well! Sometimes nothing beats a good steak! 🙂

    Reply
    • Bunny Eats Design says

      One pack is $12 and is meant for 2 people at 220 grams (110 grams per steak). Suited to lighter eaters who enjoy very lean, lighter cuts.

      Reply
  26. Abida says

    I’ve never heard of flat iron steak before this either. Looks very juicy love all the veggie chips too

    Reply

I love your comments! Your comments are like extra melted cheese on top.