Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Steak and artichoke mixed grill

By now, I’m sure all of you know that I don’t shy away from complicated recipes – but sometimes the simplest food can be the most delicious. The weather was beautiful this past weekend, so we took the opportunity to get started on the garden.


We also fired up the grill for the first time in months. I didn’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen, so I went simple. I picked up some nice looking new york strip steaks and some huge artichokes to toss on the grill. I seasoned the meat with steakhouse seasoning from Amazing Taste. I find that the easiest way to grill artichokes is to steam them first, that way you don’t have to worry about getting them cooked all the way through on the grill. I simply cut the cooked artichokes in half, and seasoned them with salt and pepper before letting them sit on the grill to get slightly charred.

Notice how many times I’ve said simple in this post? Well, I couldn’t resist un-simplifying things just a bit. I made some sauces to go with the steak and artichokes. For the meat, I made some Mesa Grill steak sauce. It literally takes 5 minutes to make, and I always have the ingredients on hand. For the artichokes, I made some hummus.

Even with the sauces, this was really quick and easy to make. Better yet, it didn’t create many dirty dishes, which makes my husband happy: since I do all the cooking, he does all the dishes.

grilled steak, grilled artichokes, homemade steak sauce, hummus

62 comments:

Dewi said...

Oh I love steaks and miss it so much. haven't had this for a while. Love the artichokes too. Delicious!
Cheers,
elra

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Yes, that's one thing I admire about you. You are not afraid of ingredients you aren't familiar with or with complex recipes. Me? I'm the opposite but I am getting better, baby steps!

Dinner looked great!
~ingrid

Cathy said...

I wish I could get my husband to eat artichokes - the closest I get is in a spinach and artichoke dip. I'm so jealous that you are planting already!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Oh, that looks good! Steak and artichokes, yummy!

Cheers,

Rosa

Angie's Recipes said...

Simple food with great taste. I couldn't agree with you more.

Kerstin said...

Yum, there's nothing better than grilled steak! I'm jealous you have a garden and can't wait to see what you do with all your home-grown produce! My hubby has promised to get a little herb garden for our balcony, so that and the farmer's market will have to do for now :)

unconfidential cook said...

Great idea to grill the artichokes--we've never done that...

Allison Lemons said...

Ah, it's the same deal in our house - I cook, and he cleans. We just got our bbq working, and I can't wait to grill up some nice big artichokes. Do you shop at the ferry building? I usually stick to the markets in the East Bay, but I should really make the trip across the bay more often.

noble pig said...

Everyone has a garden but me!

This looks delicious by the way.

Pearl said...

yes sarah - you always create such incredible recipes!

Suzy said...

Love all of the fresh veggies you highlight!

Selba said...

You like gardening? My mom is crazy of flowers and plants! :)

Passionate Eater said...

Wow, I can't wait to see your final garden in bloom! And my hubby does the dishes too!

Maris said...

YUM! I haven't had steak in ages but I love it on the grill!

Leslie said...

you steak is cooked perfectly!!! Yummy simple dinner!

Anonymous said...

Steak and artichokes look excellent! Delicious!

Stacey Snacks said...

Grilling season is really under way!
Thank goodness!
I love the bounty that you offered!

Amanda said...

Now that's what I call a perfect meal: good food cooked simply and flavorful combinations.

Sara I do need a primer on artichokes; have never made them from fresh and feel a bit intimidated. Any recommendations?

NKP said...

Ok, that's it!
I am coming over. What time is dinner? I'll bring some good, Canadian beer.

Donna-FFW said...

Oh Sara.. your dish looks awesome.. I could dive in there giht now. And those fresh herbs, I cant wait for some here. I have the envy:)

Melissa @ For the Love of Health said...

Looks so good!

Chocolate Shavings said...

Those artichokes sounds delicious!

Cassie said...

That looks so good! Artichokes are probably my favorite spring vegetable. Delicious!

Judy said...

Looks like a great dinner. And I love the cooking/dishwashing arrangement. I have the same one with my hubby.

Lori said...

Amen to that, simple sensations! This looks awesome. I just love artichokes. So funny because I have never had stuffed artichokes before because I just so enjoy them plain dipped in mayo.

lisaiscooking said...

Grilled artichokes sounds fantastic! Steaming first is a great plan.

Unknown said...

such a lovely meal... :)

Reeni said...

What a great-looking dinner! The first grilled dinner of the season is always the best!

The Blonde Duck said...

I LOVEEEEEEEE steak. Yum!

Diana said...

Hah, yeah you definitely tackle some ambitious recipes! But it's fun for me to live vicariously through you! Gotta do that with this one too - unless I get a grill at my new place?

The Duo Dishes said...

A very fresh dinner you had there. Working with whole artichokes seems a tad intimidating, but it must not be so hard.

The Short (dis)Order Cook said...

Mmmmm steaks! I want a grilled steak now. Too bad I don't have a grill.

I don't see grilled artichokes very often. Cool idea.

Yes, simplicity often trumps complexity in food. Sometimes it's best just to have a few complementary flavors in a dish instead of seeing just how many layers you can add to it.

teresa said...

I love it, this looks so good, and I love how much fun you make your dishes!

Sara said...

Allison - I live in the suburbs, so I don't get to the ferry building as often as I'd like.

Selba - I do like gardening, especially when it comes to fruit and vegetables!

Passionate Eater - I usually do a couple of garden updates during the summer.

Amanda (and Duo Dishes) - Cooking artichokes can actually be quite simple. The easiest way to do it is to steam them in the microwave. Put a couple of artichokes in a large bowl and add about an inch of water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for about 6-8 minutes, depending on size. They're done when a knife easily pierces the stem. Alot of people eat them with melted butter for dipping, but my favorite is the hummus.

Pavithra Elangovan said...

Looking great I love artichokes..Nice clicks to sara

Lyndas recipe box said...

This looks fantastic! I admire your ability to tackle those complicated recipes! I am not able to purchase some things that you use, also, I think I'm getting lazy!

Amanda said...

It's that easy? Then you just cut & remove the choke before eating?

Outstanding. Thanks, Sara!

LK- Healthy Delicious said...

its been gorgeous here these past few days too, but I'm not quite ready to start the garden. i can't wait! But I know it will get cold again before summer really settles in.

Ive never heard of grilling an artichoke. I have one in the kitchen now though and I think I'll give it a try!

Heather said...

mmmm. i have never tried grilling artichokes. consider it on my list! looks delish!!

Juliana said...

Steak! My favorite source of protein...the pictures are great!

Marta said...

You're so lucky you got to grill! I'm waiting until it stops snowing (if it EVER does) to start BBQ season up here! This grill fest looks amazing, I think artichokes pair so well with beef. And the sauce looks fantastic. I'm with you, complicated recipes have their charm, but sometimes the simplest are the most satisfying :)

Claudia said...

This looks unbelievably wonderful. I have never grilled artichokes. Now I wonder why!

Sara said...

Amanda - it really is that easy! Eat the tender bottom parts of the leaves, then when you get to the heart, scrape out the fuzzy choke.

Christina Kim said...

Looks amazing! I definitely agree that the foods with the simplest preparations are sometimes the most comforting.

Netts Nook said...

Wow my mouth is watering and it is really late but that stake looks great.

Culinary Wannabe said...

I've never heard of grilling artichokes before! If only we didn't live in a high rise apartment building!

Jeph said...

That looks/sounds reeeeeeeally good!!!

Sarah said...

I always want to use artichokes but never seem to get around to it! These look delicious :)

stephchows said...

There is nothing like a fresh steak off the grill!! I need to get a grill for John's house... maybe I'll ask for one for my birthday :) lol

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

That looks so good Sara! My favourite meal has to be meat and vegetables/salad so this is perfection to me! :)

Sara said...

This sounds great!

I ate at the Mesa Grill and everything we had was amazing! I definitely need to make more Bobby Flay recipes.

Anonymous said...

wow! I never thought you could eat artichokes whole like that. mmm...rustic!

Pam said...

What a fantastic meal! I can't wait for better grilling weather - it's still a bit rainy here.

Robin said...

Even though you call this simple it looks so elegant and fancy. Prefect for a dinner with some crusty bread and wine. The sauces were a great addition.

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

Look at that great steak color...just the way I like it!

Jennifer said...

Ohh Sarah that looks like a simple yet amazing meal!

Varsha Vipins said...

Loved that last pic Sara..:)

Gera@SweetsFoodsBlog said...

Steak and artichokes lovely combo and delicious!..the garden photo is glorious :)

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

You surely know how to cook a beautiful Dinner.

Proud Italian Cook said...

Wow Sara, That looks great!

Chef E said...

I have so been craving artichokes lately, now I want the beef too...trying to eat less meats these days...

I loved the salsa post too! I had a friends wonderful Mango salsa tonight with fresh cilantro that screams out 'wheres the fish' to me!

Jude said...

Ooh that steak is perfectly cooked, just to my liking. I don't care what people say about The Flay, but he knows how to put flavors in steak.