Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Rigatoni with Flank Steak and Mushrooms

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Here is another Giada De Laurentiis recipe from her cookbook, Everyday Italian. The first time I made this recipe I didn't make any changes besides the type of steak I used (I used London Broil) and it was fabulous! I really loved it. I wanted to make this again but I also wanted to use ingredients I had in the fridge already. That meant no arugula but it was still a very tasty dish. I think that this recipe can be used as a guide and all different things can be substituted. I sauteed some cremini mushrooms, added some kalamata olives and used flank steak instead of a strip steak. You could add some sliced red onion, some sort of beans such as chick peas or cannelini beans, maybe some broccoli or green beans. There really is no right or wrong way to make this. Just use what you like and what you have. I haven't changed up the dressing at all but I'm sure you could add some other flavors if you want. Just be careful not to add all the dressing before you taste it. It makes a lot and if you use it all it could overpower everything.

Penne with Beef and Arugula
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis
Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients:

1 (1-pound) New York strip steak
1 teaspoon herbs de Provence
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons
1 pound penne pasta
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for steak and pasta water
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for steak
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 cups chopped arugula

Directions:

Season the steak with salt and freshly ground black pepper, herbs de Provence, and minced garlic. In a skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Cook steak about 7 minutes per side. Remove the meat from pan and let it rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice the steak. Set aside.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.

In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, fresh herbs, and 3/4 cup olive oil. In a large bowl toss the pasta with half of the salad dressing and the reserved pasta water. Add the arugula and steak, more dressing, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed. Toss, pack for the picnic, or serve.


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23 comments:

Susan said...

Looks really yummy...I have a serious weakness for pasta. I love it any way its made!

Culinary Alchemist said...

Yum! I am always looking for new things to do with flank steak, other than drowned in mushroom gravy... I need to hunt one down now so I can try this... :)

Bob said...

Looks good from here. I love steak/pasta dishes, plus I'm a sucker for flank steak.

The Food Hunter said...

Looks good. I never think to add steak to my pasta. Good Idea.

Daziano said...

That looks delicious! I love Giada!!!

DDpie said...

looks awesome girl! Dang, you guys are making me hungry today! (as you do everyday lol)

Sophie said...

Sorry I couldn't help you out earlier :(! I don't use that program anymore and my hubby had to 'manage' it for me when I did b/c I'm so internet illiterate :P.

Now...I'd be an expert at eating this :P. I can't believe I've never made a beefy pasta dish before, missing out! I mean, I've had ground beef, but not flank steak...yumyumyum, love those olives too!

The Blonde Duck said...

I love pasta like this!

Melissa said...

This looks so yummy! I wish I could reach into the screen with a fork and grab a bite!

Donna-FFW said...

This looks like a fabulous dish. I enjoy flank steak, and I love the sound of the sauce and to pair it with pasta, sounds like a winner.

Aggie said...

Oh wow, what a great pasta dish!! My husband would go nuts if I made this for him. How did I miss this in her cookbook!! Looks delicious Michele!

Proud Italian Cook said...

Give me a nice rigatoni and I'm a happy girl! Love it with the steak!

petite fleur said...

This looks great & has all the stuff that I like - flank steak, mushrooms & argula. Gonna bookmark this.

Maria said...

I love rigatoni!! What a great dish!

Michele said...

Thanks guys!

Shane - I think I need some of that mushroom gravy in my life!!!

JennDZ - The Leftover Queen said...

That looks very tasty! I love new ideas for using steak.

Christy said...

Michele, your rigatoni looks great. Giada is one of my absolute favs. Thanks for stopping by my blog today, I love getting to network with new foodies!

Megan said...

This sounds and looks like a great meal. I love arugula but can only find it in the summer at the farmers market.

ChefDruck said...

This looks delicious. I love that your blog is a tribute to your grandmother. And such a wonderful way to celebrate her heritage and traditions.

Maryann said...

Hi Michele! I love this dish! Your grandma would be proud :)

Zesty Cook said...

oh wow - this looks great! I love flank steak.

Snooky doodle said...

what a nice plate of pasta. I m drooling :)

Bridgett said...

I love this recipe and have made it a couple times. It has great flavor and yours looks fantastic!