There are too many words going through my head. The excitement of this post has me in a whirlwind of thought. There is so much I want to write and focusing on a storyline is difficult. The only thing I can do is start from the beginning, or rather, base of it all. What am I so excited about? It is beef and goes from how it has been such a part of my life to watching Chef Dave make this Steak and Heirloom Tomato Salad at the Food and Wine Conference.
My dad taught me so much about beef cutting and cooking. He learned how from working in a butcher shop before his career in the airline industry. My parents would cook beef often and so have I through the years. I have it in some way a few times a week. Last year when The Beef Checkoff invited me to go to a beef workshop, I was all over it. It was a fantastic weekend learning about beef and enjoying it with fellow food bloggers. While I was there I had to slip in a mention of Sunday Supper and hope that one day we would partner with them. One can only dare to dream…
Then conference planning kicked in earlier this year. I jumped for joy when The Beef Checkoff signed on as a sponsor plus a Sunday Supper campaign. Then the most incredible thing happened. They asked if I would be a part of their session at the conference to present on food photography. I could not be more honored and thrilled! I knew I would be photographing three recipes however what I didn't know was how much I would be inspired by one of them. It was the moments when Chef Dave told me he would be doing the salad Napoleon style then watching him build it during his demo. Wow. I had to make this salad and photograph it. I simply had to.
A little information about beef: It's good for you. Beef is loaded with nutrients and a three ounce serving provides about half of the daily value for protein. Research has shown including lean beef in a heart-healthy lifestyle improved cholesterol levels. Beef is versatile too. There are many different cooking methods for it and you will find it a part of cuisines all over the world. This steak and heirloom tomato salad is one of The Beef Checkoff's healthy dinner ideas (called Beef & Heirloom Tomato Salad with Balsamic Syrup on their site).
Are you ready to cook beef? Be sure to scroll down to find more recipes by Sunday Supper contributors. Also take a look at the Beef - Let's Celebrate Pinterest board and check out these salads too: Spicy Thai Beef Salad and Roast Beef Pasta Salad.
More on The Beef Checkoff: You can follow them on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and their website.
Steak and Heirloom Tomato Salad
Ingredients
For the balsamic syrup:
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
For the salad:
- 2 beef Ranch steaks about 8 ounces each, cut ¾ thick
- 1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
- 4 cups arugula leaves torn into pieces
- 6 small heirloom tomatoes sliced 2 each red, green, and yellow
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup Parmesan shavings
Instructions
For the balsamic syrup:
- Bring vinegar to a boil in medium saucepan; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until reduced to about ⅓ cup (consistency will be syrupy). Remove from heat; cool. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Whisk in oil.
For the salad:
- Press thyme and garlic evenly onto beef steaks. Spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Place steaks in skillet; cook 8 to 11 minutes for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning twice. Carve steaks into thin slices. Arrange arugula and tomatoes on serving platter; drizzle with Balsamic Syrup. Top with steak slices; sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper and cheese shavings.
Notes
Are you looking for beef recipes? Look no further than these from Sunday Supper contributors. Each recipe is only a click away:
- Beef Barbacoa by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Beef Brisket Hash by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Beef Kafta with Lemon Tahini Sauce by Neighborfood
- Beef Teriyaki On a Stick by In The Kitchen With KP
- Chipotle Tequila Flank Steak by The Messy Baker
- Enchilada Casserole by Melanie Makes
- Greek-Style Beef Kabobs (aka Souvlaki) by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Grilled Sirloin with Caramelized Shallot and Roasted Garlic Compound Butter by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Grilled Sirloin Steak and Eggs with Broccoli Rabe by Family Foodie
- Homemade Italian Style Beef Kabobs by Momma's Meals
- Meatball Lover's Sandwich by Shockingly Delicious
- Mini Meatball Minestrone Salad by Foxes Love Lemons
- Pepper Steak Crostini by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Pop-in-the-Oven Beef Stew by Alida's Kitchen
- Restaurant Style Burger by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Shredded Beef Wet Burritos by girlichef
- Spiced Coffee Rubbed Steak by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
- Spinach Pancetta Beef Rouladen {Spinach Pancetta Beef Roll-ups} by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Steak and Heirloom Tomato Salad by Magnolia Days
- Stuffed Flank Steak with Butterfly Tutorial by The Foodie Army Wife
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It's easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the The Beef Checkoff. All opinions are my own. Chef Dave photo courtesy of Ashlee Hamon Photography.
This looks so sophisticated Renee! Beef and good tomatoes, it doesn't get much better for a summer lunch. Love it! Meat and planes, sounds like my family, lol!
Thank you Paula it does sound like your family from what I've read in your posts. What a great way to grow up with beef and planes.
Yum Renee! What a great idea! I love it!! Tomatoes and steak, what a delish combo.
Thanks Jennifer
I really need to make this one and now that I have all the heirloom tomatoes I can! It's such a show stopper and who can beat the combination of steak and tomatoes? Potatoes are about to get replaced!
Thanks Susan! One must enjoy the heirloom tomato season as much as possible.
Wow, Renee, these really are breathtaking photos! And I know this is as delicious as it looks 🙂
Thanks so much Liz and it sure does taste as good as it looks.
I adored the looks of that salad at the conference, and yours is even more stunningly beautiful! This should be the cover of the beef magazine!
Thanks a bunch Dorothy.
You can say that you literally grew up on beef! I love beef cold in salads too. Beautiful pictures, Renee!
I usually grill extra steak just so I can have the leftovers for salads and sandwiches.
Holey socks! This is a piece of art. Gorgeous tomatoes, mouth watering steak. Yes please!
Holey socks - you crack me up Conni. Thanks so much for making me smile and your kind compliment.
This is a work of art!!!! Beautiful, pinned and sharing now!
Thank you very much and you know I appreciate the pin and shares.
I have been drooling over this dish since the conference -- Your photos make it look even better!
Thanks Isabel
Renee, you did an amazing job recreating this dish. My beefsteak tomatoes will be red soon, and this will be on the menu!
How great you will have your own beefsteak tomatoes for this salad. Wish you could send some to me.
This salad looks absolutely delicious! I love the idea of steak on a salad, especially with heirloom tomatoes...what great flavor! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much Jodee
This looks gorgeous!! Even better than the one at the demo 😉
Thanks so much Shaina.
Renee - this dish is unbelievably delicious looking and sounding; I can tell you that Mia Rose would ask for seconds. Steak, tomatoes, and balsamic drizzle…it does not get any better than this.
Thanks Beate and I hope you do make it for Mia Rose and give her seconds too.
Renee, this is the prettiest salad I've ever laid eyes on. I have my fork and knife ready!
Oh Jennie you are so sweet. Thanks a bunch!
This is so incredibly gorgeous. This was definitely the most memorable of the beef dishes for me too. I love the presentation and that it uses great in season tomatoes!
It certainly is a show stopper. I know it is something I'll be serving when entertaining soon.
WOW! What a stunningly beautiful and colorful summer salad!
Thanks Heather
these look SO delicious.. definitely know what i will be making for dinner tonight. thanks for the inspiration!
You are welcome and I hope you enjoy the salad. My husband and I sure did.
Oh my! This is one salad I could eat daily!! Love your shots Renee!
I even made a sandwich using the components of the salad and it was awesome too.
Wow, Renee! This is a stunning salad! I love the heirloom tomatoes and the beef and the drizzling of balsamic syrup too. Perfection on a plate.
It tastes as good as it looks too. My husband really enjoyed it (and so did I).
Great post, Renee, and stunning photos!
Thanks a bunch Anita
I can TOTALLY see why you were our food photography guru at the conference, Renee. That first shot seriously looks straight off a magazine cover. Put that in a frame and hang it in your kitchen! WOW.
Thank you SO much Lori. You made my day with your kind compliment of my photography.