Steak Pizzaiola

Serves: 6

Lelia Marks

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

40

Spice

58

Sweetness

52

Sourness

43

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.3

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tsp

Salt

Directions:

1

Sprinkle both sides of the steak with salt

2

In a large skillet, preheated over high heat, pan-broil the steaks, until the large ones are almost done to taste, or the small ones are well browned

3

If using large steaks, you probably will not be able to fit them all in the pan at once

4

Do a couple at a time, then remove them and set them aside while cooking the rest

5

The small steaks should fit comfortably in the pan side by side, but if they crowd the pan, do not brown them all at once

6

When all the steaks have been cooked, pour off any fat in the skillet

7

Add the 2 cups of tomato sauce and dried oregano to the pan, scraping up any brown film or bits in the pan

8

Return the cubed steaks to the pan if you are using them and they were set aside

9

Bring to a simmer over high heat

10

If using cubed steaks, cover the pan and adjust the heat so the tomatoes simmer gently for about 40 minutes, or until the meat is tender

11

Place each steak on dinner plate and top with sauce

12

If the sauce on the cubed steaks is not thick enough, uncover pan at the end of the cooking time and reduce

13

In a 1 1/2- to 2-quart saucepan, combine the oil and onion and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the onion is fully tender and golden, 8 to 10 minutes

14

Or, over medium-low heat, combine the oil and the garlic

15

Cook the garlic, pressing it into the oil a couple of times to release its flavor, until it barely begins to color on both sides

16

Remove the garlic

17

With a food mill, puree the tomatoes directly into the pot and stir well

18

Add salt and either hot pepper flakes or black pepper to taste

19

Increase the heat slightly and bring to a brisk simmer

20

Adjusting the heat as the sauce cooks down, and stirring frequently, simmer briskly for about 12 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and reduced

21

Season with herbs according to the recipe you are preparing

22

For the most basic sauce, add a few torn basil leaves or a tablespoon of finely cut parsley while the sauce is simmering

23

Then add a little more at the end of cooking