Greek Spinach Salad with Grilled Flap Steak and Marinated Feta

—

in , , ,

Grilled steak turns a Greek salad into a substantial dish, while marinating the feta in a mixture of spicy chile flakes, briny capers, bright lemon, and herbs adds a big punch of flavor. Serve with grilled pita or crusty bread rubbed with fresh garlic to round out the meal.

Ingredients

Steak

  • 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 medium cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbs. chopped fresh oregano or 1 tsp. dried
  • 2 tsp. red wine vinegar
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lb. beef flap meat, cut into pieces of even thickness

Salad

  • 2 1/2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 Tbs. capers, rinsed and chopped
  • 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red chile flakes
  • 7 oz. feta (preferably Greek), cut into small cubes (about 1-1/2 cups)
  • 5 oz. baby spinach (about 5 lightly packed cups)
  • 2 mini cucumbers, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
  • 1-1/2 cups cherry tomatoes (preferably a mix of colors and shapes), halved
  • 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved

Preparation

Steak

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk 3 Tbs. of the oil with the garlic, oregano, vinegar, 1/4 tsp. salt, and a few grinds pepper.
  2. Add the steaks and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 6 hours.

Salad

  1. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the remaining 2-1/2 Tbs. oil, the parsley, capers, lemon juice, thyme, and chile flakes. Add the feta and stir gently to coat. Marinate at room temperature for up to 1 hour, or in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours.

Serving

  • Prepare a medium-high (400°F to 475°F) gas or charcoal grill fire. Remove the steaks from the marinade and pat dry. Grill, turning every 2 minutes, until cooked to your liking, 6 to 8 minutes for medium (140°F). Transfer to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Thinly slice the steak against the grain, then season lightly with salt.
  • Put the spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives in a large bowl. Drizzle all of the marinade from the feta over the salad, using a spatula to hold back the feta (it’s OK if a few pieces fall in). Season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Arrange on a serving platter or divide among four dinner plates. Scatter the steak and feta over the salad, and serve.