Part of our local Saturday Supper, this grilled flank steak is simple, quick and perfect for entertaining. Chimichurri is an Argentinian sauce commonly served with steak. With parsley and peppers, it’s a spicier take on the traditional pesto. It also makes a great marinade to add even more flavor to your steak. Cut the grilled steak into thin slices and serve along or on top of a simple salad, or on rice or grains for a heartier meal.

Recipe: Chimichurri Flank Steak

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch parsley, rinsed and coarsely chopped
• 1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, quartered (seeds included)
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/2 c olive oil
• 1/4 t each of salt and pepper
• 1 flank steak (1 1/4 – 1 1/2 lbs.)

Process first five ingredients in food processor until finely chopped. You may need to add additional olive oil to get the right consistency, but it should be fairly thick. Rub several tablespoons over flank steak and marinate for at least an hour. (Optional, pour 1 bottle dark Mexican beer, e.g. Negra Modelo, over steak as well.) Bring steak to room temperature while preheating grill or grill pan. Sear over medium high heat for 3-4 minutes per side for medium rare, 5 for medium. Allow to stand for several minutes after removing from the grill before slicing. Serve with the remaining chimichurri sauce on the side. Serves 4-6. Enjoy!

This was another improvisational pasta night dish, as my original plans to use the last of my fresh ricotta were thwarted by the cheese having spoiled (so tragic). Fortunately, I still had some cream from last week’s shortcake, so this evolved into a springy green alfredo sauce. I thought it was yummy, but the husband felt it would be better if I had used bacon instead of zucchini …. you could certainly add meat to this recipe if you’re so inclined. I bet some Italian sausage would be good.

Recipe: Zucchini Alfredo Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 c. shredded zucchini, strained/squeezed of excess liquid
• 1 white onion (fresh CSA spring onion)
• 1/3 c fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 T butter
• 1 T olive oil
• salt & pepper
• 1/2 c cream
• 1/4 c grated parmiaggiano

Instructions:

Melt butter and olive oil in saute pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until onion begins to brown, about 8 minutes. Stir in zucchini and cook 2 minutes more. Add pinch of salt and pepper and cream and cook about 5 minutes, until cream begins to bubble. Stir in parsley and cheese and remove from heat. Toss with cooked pasta (used tagliatelle here) and enjoy!

Submitted for next week’s Presto Pasta Night, hosted by Once Upon a Feast. Check out this week’s round-up at Chew on That.