Fellow veggie friends, I am sorry.
See, I’m married to a carnivore and have spawned one carnivorous daughter. And they loooooooooove their steaks.
I don’t pass judgment on dietary/lifestyle preferences, which is why when I’m out and about Dallas and find a really good cut of meat I usually get some for the family.
Earlier today, I intended to swing by Green Grocer to get a green juice. However, the onramp to 75 was shut down and I was forced to try to find my way over to Lower Greenville. Key word:try. I really don’t know what I did. I thought I could cut over and pick up Greenville by taking some side street, but instead I found myself in Deep Ellum. This was a good thing, really! I’m just glad I didn’t end up in Louisiana, to be honest.
Driving down Elm, I saw the signage for Rudolph’s Market, so I went inside; come to find out it has been in business 118 years! That’s crazy. Anyways, I love me a family business so I picked up a package of a cut of beef called “Philly Steak”. I just knew my two meat eaters would love me for it. Rudolph’s also sells breads from Empire Baking Company , and I picked up a yummy looking loaf of Jalapeno Cheddar.
Vegetarians, avert your eyes! Look away!
I then went skipping wandering a bit further down Elm. I didn’t really know where I was going. My husband shouldn’t let me out of the house, I tend to wander and collect things. (Dogs, cool rocks, pictures of sunsets, loaves of bread, stuff like that) My husband wants to see if he can have one of those teddy bear toddler leashes made in adult size. He blames the Red Bull. I blame my overconsumption of Jack Kerouac novels and a teenage fascination with “On The Road”.
Anywho, I then saw the signage for Mozzarella Company, which sells cars. Just kidding. They sell cheese, lots and lots of delicious cheese. I had so much fun inside that store. I was lucky to have met the owner, Paula Lambert. She opened Mozzarella Company 32 years ago! What an accomplishment. I enjoyed discussing cheeses with her, and even sampled her newest flavor cheese which is infused with lemon. Divine! I told Paula what I had purchased at Rudolph’s and she suggested a Black Pepper Garlic Cacciota cheese. My husband and 8 year old went gaga over it.
If you ever find yourself “lost” in Deep Ellum, make sure you swing by this place. It’s the only one I know of where you can meet the person that makes your cheese!
Okay…redirecting here. Let’s get to the recipe, shall we? This Panini is super easy to make. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
STEAK AND PEPPERED CHEESE PANINI
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 lbs. steak, thinly sliced
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 cup Mesquite Olive Oil (Texas Olive Ranch, as always) OR 1/2 cup olive oil plus 1/2 tsp. liquid smoke
1/3 cup vinegar or lemon juice (I used Pecan Balsamic)
1 tsp. hot sauce
Sea Salt
1/2 red onion, sliced
2 – 3 T. olive oil, separated, for cooking onion slices and steak slices
1 loaf of nice, crusty bread
1 clove garlic, halved
1/4 lb. quality cheese (if you aren’t in the Dallas area, use any mild white cheese plus a nice dose of cracked black pepper)
Optional condiments: Greens, sliced tomatoes, jalapenos, spicy carrots, etc.
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large Ziploc bag, combine the Worcestershire, oil, vinegar, hot sauce, and shake to combine. Add your slices of steak and let marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in large sauté pan over medium high heat, heat enough oil to cook red onions until starting to brown. Remove from pan.
3. Remove marinated meat and discard remaining marinade. Generously sprinkle sea salt onto steak. Working in batches, fry steak slices in oil until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
4. Cut clove of garlic in half, rubbing the cut end over your slices of bread.
5. Layer sliced steak, cheese, onions, and any other desired condiments into a sandwich.
6. Using a Panini press, cook sandwich per machine directions. If you don’t have one, use a large pan and place your Panini in the middle. Using a small pan, gently press down on your sandwich. After 1 – 2 minutes, flip over and repeat the pressing. Viola!
recipes from the birdcage. 