Originally from Uruguay and Argentina, chimichurri is a sauce or marinade with the main ingredients being fresh parsley and garlic. In this recipe it is paired with grilled steak, zucchini and tomato skewers.
1poundboneless beef top sirloin steakcut 1 inch thick
½teaspoonchili powder
¼teaspoonsalt
2cupsgrape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
2medium zucchini and/or yellow summer squashtrimmed and halved lengthwise
1small red onioncut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
Nonstick cooking spray
Chimichurri Sauce
1cuplightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
½cuplightly packed fresh cilantro
¼cupwhite wine vinegar
2tablespoonswater
1tablespoonolive oil
6clovesgarlicminced
¼teaspoonsalt
¼teaspoonground black pepper
¼teaspooncrushed red pepper(Optional)
Instructions
Prepare Steak & Vegetables: Trim fat from steak. Cut steak into four equal portions. Sprinkle chili powder and 1/8 teaspoon of the salt over the steak portions. Thread tomatoes onto four 6- to 8-inch skewers (see Tip). Lightly coat tomatoes and both sides of the zucchini and red onion slices with nonstick spray. Sprinkle vegetables with the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt.
For a charcoal grill, place steak, tomato skewers and vegetable slices on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals. Grill steak until desired doneness, turning once halfway through cooking. Allow 14 to 18 minutes for medium-rare doneness (145 degrees F) or 18 to 22 minutes for medium doneness (160 degrees F). Grill zucchini and onion slices for 10 to 12 minutes or until tender and lightly charred in places, turning occasionally. Grill tomatoes for 4 to 6 minutes or just until softened and lightly charred, turning once. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place steak, tomato skewers, and vegetable slices on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as above).
Prepare Chimichurri Sauce: Combine parsley, cilantro, vinegar, water, olive oil, garlic, salt, ground black pepper and, if desired, crushed red pepper in a blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process with several on/off pulses until chopped, but not pureed.
Slice steak and divide among four serving plates. Serve with grilled tomatoes, vegetable slices and Chimichurri Sauce.
Notes
Tip: If using wooden skewers, soak in enough water to cover for 30 minutes before using.