How to cook flank steak with balsamic sauce

One of the leaner beef cuts, flank steak is an excellent choice when you're craving a steak dinner. It is economical, has lots of flavour, and becomes nice and tender when marinated. Since you slice the steak before serving, it's easy to control portion sizes. Read on for a delicious recipe for flank steak with balsamic sauce.

• Preparation time: 20 minutes.
• Marinating time: 2 hours.
• Cooking time: 12 to 14 minutes.
• Serves 6.

Ingredients:

• 75 ml (1/3 c) orange juice or port
• 50 ml (1/4 c) balsamic vinegar
• 5 ml (1 tsp) Worcestershire sauce
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) chopped fresh thyme or 5 ml (1 tsp) dried thyme
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) salt, or to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 700 g (1 1/2 lb) flank steak, trimmed
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) finely chopped shallot (1 large)
• 5 ml (1 tsp) olive oil
• 10 ml (2 tsp) unsalted butter

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice (or port), vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper. Place the steak in a shallow glass dish, pour on the orange juice mixture and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours or up to eight hours, turning several times.
2. Remove the steak from the marinade and pour the marinade into a small pot. Add the shallots and set aside.
3. Brush a ridged grill pan or heavy skillet with oil and place over medium-high heat. Add the steak to the pan and, depending on thickness, cook for six to seven minutes per side for medium-rare, or until it reaches the desired doneness. Transfer to a cutting board and let stand for five minutes.
4. Meanwhile, bring the marinade to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until reduced to 75 millilitres (1/3 cup), three to five minutes. Remove from the heat, add the butter and whisk until melted.
5. Slice the steak thinly across the grain. Add any accumulated juices on the cutting board to the sauce and serve the sauce with the steak. Leftover steak will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to two days.

One serving is 85 grams (three ounces) steak and 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) sauce.

Per serving:

• 196 calories
• 25 g protein
• 4 g carbohydrates
• 0 g fibre
• 8 g total fat
• 3 g saturated fat
• 41 mg cholesterol
• 269 mg sodium

In this recipe, the zesty marinade is transformed into a rich-tasting sauce. We use a ridged grill pan or skillet, but you can also cook the steak on an outdoor grill or broil it. Keep this recipe in mind and cook a delicious flank steak with balsamic sauce that the whole family will enjoy!