A Spring Dinner – Grassfed Beef Steaks with Chimmichuri, Fresh English Peas with Garlic and Pan Roasted Fingerling Potatoes.
It is no secret that I love to eat seasonally and that I am a big fan and customer of my local farmer’s market. Recently we discovered a new vendor at the market – a dairy and grassfed beef farm. I was so excited to discover a convenient place to get locally produced raw milk, yogurt, eggs and grassfed beef. I am sure that I will post some recipes featuring these exciting ingredients, but today I am going to show you this really nice dinner that showcases the bounty of spring.
We have been trying to eat as seasonally as possible for the past year now. It is fun to see now how much we look forward to certain things during the year. For example fresh English peas in the pod. These little beauties are like the heralds of spring. Just their very color is indicative of the season – beautiful spring green.
I am not sure if I have mentioned it on the blog before, but I know that I have chatted quite a bit about it on both Facebook and Twitter, but Roberto and I have been working out a lot lately – we do martial arts and weight lifting several times a week, among other things. With increased activity, has come an increased need for good quality protein and so we have been eating more meat than we had prior, especially on days that we are pumping lots of iron. As I have mentioned before, I try to eat solely Happy Meat and since our previous grassfed beef vendors at the farmers market has not been around for several months, we have been relying a lot on the Greenwise line of meat from our local grocery, Publix. A few weeks ago they had steaks on sale, so I got one to put in the freezer.
There were some fingerling potatoes – another spring veggie, that needed eating, and so I decided it was a good time to bring these three things together – steak, potatoes and fresh peas.
Then I got inspiration from my fresh herbs out on the porch. I have always wanted to make a Chimmichuri sauce – its vibrant green color and fresh taste is very attractive to me on so many levels, and it just felt like it would go great with this meal.
Chimmichuri is typically made with fresh cilantro or parsley as the main herb, but I don’t have either of them growing. So I used what I do have – basil and oregano. I thew these herbs together with olive oil, citrus champagne vinegar and a few other spices to make a fabulous tangy and herbal sauce for the steak.
I pan roasted the fingerling potatoes by throwing them in a large pan with olive oil, salt and pepper and cooking until they are browned on all sides. I then thew them in the oven at 425 F for 20 minutes, then tossed them with fresh chives. Then I thew my steak in the pan, seasoned with salt and pepper and red pepper flakes. I sautéed the peas with olive oil and 3 cloves of garlic. It was a wonderful meal full of the fresh flavors of spring.
We enjoyed it with a lovely bottle of Ravenswood Lodi. I am a big fan of Ravenswood wines and the Lodi is one of the more expensive bottles they carry. So we bought it to save for a special occasion. Nothing says special like a hard workout followed by a steak dinner!
Chimmichuri
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup basil
¼ cup oregano
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup citrus champagne vinegar
3 cloves of garlic
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 TBS sumac
salt to taste
METHOD:
Throw it all in a food processor or blender and blend until it becomes a sauce.
Jeff - May 18, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I switched over to the local guy meat years ago and have never looked back. The taste is cleaner and wow this sounds evil but you can really taste the happiness.
Nicely done and way to use all those great spring flavors. I keep screaming at my pea plants to grow so I can enjoy them.
dawn - May 18, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I love when you make a meal because you really make a meal! No stone unturned with you. Love all of this my friend!
Aggie - May 18, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I am going to keep an eye out for that wine…I love Zinfandels and have been pleased with Ravenswood before. Your meal looks fabulous Jenn! I want to recreate it!
The Duo Dishes - May 18, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Love the fresh, spring green colors of that meal. Feels so vibrant. Grassfed meat does have a very distinct, pure taste. It’s great eats.
ValleyWriter - May 18, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Wow – this looks incredible! I’m wondering if trying grass-fed “happy meat” would change my feelings about beef. I’ve never been a very big fan (much to my hubby’s chagrin). Might just have to try it out with this recipe!
Rosa - May 18, 2009 at 1:15 pm
A gorgeous meal! I love Ravenswood wine…
Cheers,
Rosa
Happy Cook - May 18, 2009 at 1:46 pm
If i make that plate of food for my hubby and daughter they will be delighted, both of them like beef ( i am not a fan, but i make for them)
Chimichuri is new to me, when i read the title i thought it was som japanes good 😉 ,ow i know it isn’t .
Donald - May 18, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Good eats!!!
So when you say “expensive” what are we talking here? I love Zinfandel with BBQ and grilled red meat.
I am also a true believer in the grass-fed and even so far as to get dry-aged when I can.
Ivy - May 18, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Now that’s a lovely piece of meat I see in the pan and how it should be. I’ve seen many recipes having beef which was so FULL of fat, how can they eat it? The potatoes and chimmichuri sound delicious.
Jan - May 18, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Oooh yummy yum yum – that’s what I thought when you mentioned this on FBook. Now seeing the pictures – Wow! A lovely meal.
I just love peas in the pod too!
Jenn - May 18, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I haven’t tried Ravenwood Wines yet. I’ll have to purchase a bottle one these days as i sometimes like wine with my steaks. And that Beef Stake look mighty delicious!!
The Leftover Queen - May 18, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Thanks everyone for all your comments! 🙂
VW, as you can see from some of these comments, grassfed beef tastes different from “regular” beef, which I do not care for either.
Donald, I am talking about $20. Usually their wines are in the $8-11 range, which works just fine for me!
I agree Ivy, I am not into fatty/marbled beef. I like my meat nice and lean. Which is probably why I prefer game meat.
Holly - May 18, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Looks like a perfect spring dinner. I love chimichurri!
Teresa - May 18, 2009 at 5:01 pm
What a lovely dinner Jenn. I’ve cut back on my red meat quite a bit but once or twice a month I do enjoy a small steak. My husband is a meat and potatoes man. Working out, huh? I got my first eliptical machine and use it early in the morning and in the evening. My daughter talked me into getting an AB Rocket. This was beause I kept getting neck aches whenever I would do crunches. I’m going slow but it feels great…and no more neck aches.
Jen of a2eatwrite - May 18, 2009 at 5:43 pm
How long did you saute the peas for? I find that mine always seem tough to the point that I’m not an English pea fan now. I love many other peas, though, and always get these as part of my share. I’ve usually boiled them. Maybe sauteing is the answer.
Cynthia - May 18, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I hope you’ve set a place for me at the table.
kat - May 18, 2009 at 7:58 pm
everything looks delicious! I will have to keep my eye out for that wine!
Judy - May 18, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Looks great Jenn! I love a meal like that and the wine looks great too!
patsyk - May 18, 2009 at 8:59 pm
What a fantastic meal! I am going to have to make some pan roasted potatoes for my boys… I just know they would LOVE them!
Toni - May 18, 2009 at 9:54 pm
OK – I’m ready for this meal! And wouldn’t you know it? I just bought some beautiful fingerling potatoes!
Roberto - May 18, 2009 at 11:43 pm
it was the best chimichurry ever! …and the first I ever had too 😉
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie - May 19, 2009 at 12:09 am
The fresh spring ingredients you have here are just so fabulous! The Chimmichuri sauce sounds wonderful and the whole meal looks absolutely delicious! We also really enjoy Ravenswood wines!
Bob - May 19, 2009 at 2:00 am
That looks unbelievably good. I’ve never had chimichurri, but I really want to. It sounds wicked good.
Núria - May 19, 2009 at 3:16 am
A great post Jenn! I’m loving your pictures, Menu, wine and the gym routine :D. That’s being healthy!!!! These first peas are just soooooo good! I love to eat them directly from the shell 😀
Never made a Chimichurri but your version sounds super!!!!
nina - May 19, 2009 at 4:58 am
This is a post to drool over…..I love everything about it….the color, the flavors and the SAUCE……!!!
Peter G - May 19, 2009 at 6:32 am
You have me licking the screen Jenn! Really beautiful combination of ingredients and flavours! I love that steak, the peas, potatoes…everything! Beautiful!
Natashya - May 19, 2009 at 7:30 am
Delicious! What a wonderful meal. Perfect for the warm weather.
jeremy hanlon - May 19, 2009 at 8:36 am
Fingerling potatoes, chiimichuri, steak and red wine…do I have to say any more?? I love Ravenswood but I have never tasted a Lodi. Is this a blend or particular grape? I look forward to trying it for my next special occasion dinner. Thanks for visiting my blog! I agree Joan has been a huge help to this “newbie”!
Peter - May 19, 2009 at 9:16 am
Oh yes…fresh oregano in a chimichurri completes me. Nice going with the grass fed beef…MOOOOO!
girlichef - May 19, 2009 at 9:29 am
Everything looks so delicious. And there is just something so satisfying about sitting down to a meal made from all (or close to it) locally grown, raised food! This post made me happy 🙂 …and I luv that goblet!
doggybloggy - May 19, 2009 at 9:59 am
qreat post, great colors, great photos – all in all great blog!
kat - May 19, 2009 at 10:00 am
What a beautiful meal! Its nice to have a good reason to eat more meat!
pam - May 19, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Wow it looks amazing! I was just reading today about all the antioxidants in fresh oregano! I’m going to start using mine alot more.
Helen - May 19, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Fantastic! There’s nothing like sitting down to a great meal when you have actually earned the indulgence! I think that must be where I am going wrong 😉 Love the addition of peas.
Mrs. L - May 19, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I noticed some fresh peas at the farmers market this past weekend and was so disappointed I would be too busy this week to be able to cook them. I’m hoping they are there again when I go back a few weeks from now.
lo - May 19, 2009 at 6:25 pm
The sheer simplicity here is so very attractive, Jenn. I’m still waiting for Wisconsin peas… but I’m getting impatient 🙂 They look so amazing.
Kimberly Moreli - May 20, 2009 at 1:42 am
Looks great, and I do not even eat red meat.
Bellini Valli - May 20, 2009 at 7:43 am
If this post wouldn’t make us all go out and seek out local producers and produce nothing will. Living in Canada our season is much shorter so we appreciate all the valley has to offer even more. Strawberries will be coming soon:D
Rico - May 20, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Lovely grass fed steaks and the sauce is delicious as well as those new pot’s 🙂 xx Rico-Recipes
Sylvia - May 20, 2009 at 9:03 pm
You rocks Jenn, Chimichurri, wonderful. I had in my pantry a dry version that I used to seasoned fish and poultry. Zinfandel is perfect for this dish, nice choice
elly - May 21, 2009 at 9:59 am
What a great dinner! I really love the sound of your more Mediterranean chimichurri! I will have to give it a try.
Pam - May 21, 2009 at 11:14 am
Now that’s my kind of meal! Oh how I love fingerling potatoes…and steak…and peas…and chimichuri sauce. YUM.
The Leftover Queen - May 21, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Hey Jen, I sauteed them for probably 15 minutes or so. They came out perfectly!
Jeremy – The Lodi is a type of grape – it is one of those old vine grapes that are all the rage these days!
Thanks Girlichef! I inherited the wine goblets from my grandparents. I use them almost everyday, and it is a way to remember them and all the good meals I enjoyed with them growing up.
lisaiscooking - May 21, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Your chimmichuri and those peas are so bright and fresh looking! Looks delicious.
Deborah - May 22, 2009 at 11:12 pm
What a beautiful meal! I love chimmichuri, and I have vowed to get my garden going earlier next year to have fresh peas!
Dharm - May 22, 2009 at 11:35 pm
This looks great! I’ve never heard of Chimichuri before but thanks to you, now I have!!
Dragon - May 23, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Now this is an amazing feast. So fresh, so pretty, so delicious, so perfect.
Angela@spinachtiger - June 14, 2009 at 10:39 am
Jen
We’re so on same page. I love my farmer’s market. Yesterday I got some english peas from the nicest newest vendor (and some squash blossoms)and I found a new cattle farmer that I’m invited to visit farm.
Another simple simple Italian recipe for peas. Saute finely diced onion, add ground beef crumbled, add peas. Olive oil, salt, pepper. That’s it.
WaxOnWaxOff - June 27, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Lucky find…I will bookmark this site and comeback often
Zoe Harrison - October 23, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I am so glad you did this recipe with grass fed beef! I work with La Cense Beef, you may have heard of them. They are a grass fed beef company. I think you should check out their steaks
and try them with your recipe!