Gourmet Spinach and Blue Cheese Flank Steak Roll
This Gourmet Spinach and Blue Cheese Flank Steak Roll is a culinary delight that showcases your skills in the kitchen while delivering an impressive dish perfect for any special occasion. The rich, savory combination of creamy blue cheese and nutrient-rich spinach, enhanced by the nutty flavor of pine nuts, enveloped in succulent flank steak, creates a gourmet experience with every bite. Pair it with herbed garlic scalloped potatoes and a glass of Pinot Noir for a truly memorable meal. This recipe is not only surprisingly simple but also promises to impress your guests or make for a delightful dinner with your loved ones.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen chopped spinach
10 ounces (Thawed and drained)
Pine nuts
1/3 cup (Toasted (optional, for enhanced flavor))
Blue cheese
4 ounces (Crumbled)
Minced roasted garlic
2 tablespoons (Roasted and minced)
Flank steak
1 1/4 - 1 1/2 lbs (Trimmed and laid flat)
Olive oil
3 tablespoons (Divided)
Seasoning salt
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (N/A)
Liquid smoke
6-8 drops (N/A)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Begin by squeezing excess moisture from the thawed spinach. Place it in the center of a kitchen towel, twist the towel tightly over the sink, and wring out the water until the spinach is fairly dry.
3
Transfer the drained spinach to a food processor. Add pine nuts, blue cheese, and minced roasted garlic. Pulse the mixture until it becomes a thick, cohesive paste.
4
Lay the flank steak flat on a clean work surface. Use your fingers or a silicone spatula to spread the spinach and cheese mixture evenly over the entire surface of the flank steak.
5
Carefully roll the steak into a tight cylinder, starting from one end. Securely tie the roll at 2-inch intervals with kitchen twine to keep the filling intact during cooking.
6
In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of olive oil with seasoning salt, pepper, and liquid smoke. Brush this mixture over the entire exterior of the steak roll for enhanced flavor.
7
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the steak roll. Sear each side for approximately 1.5 minutes, rotating the roll 1/4 turn until all sides are beautifully browned.
8
Once seared, carefully transfer the steak roll to a rack placed on a baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 140°F (60°C) at the center of the roll.
9
Remove the steak from the oven and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This resting period helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful result. Serve immediately, enjoy your gourmet creation!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gourmet Spinach and Blue Cheese Flank Steak Roll?
It is a gourmet dish featuring a succulent flank steak rolled with a savory filling of creamy blue cheese, nutrient-rich spinach, and nutty pine nuts.
What cut of beef is best for this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for a 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lb flank steak, trimmed and laid flat.
How should I prepare the frozen spinach?
The spinach should be thawed and then squeezed tightly in a kitchen towel to remove as much excess moisture as possible until it is fairly dry.
What ingredients are used in the filling?
The filling consists of 10 ounces of drained spinach, 1/3 cup of pine nuts, 4 ounces of crumbled blue cheese, and 2 tablespoons of minced roasted garlic.
How do I combine the filling ingredients?
Place the drained spinach, pine nuts, blue cheese, and roasted garlic in a food processor and pulse until they form a thick, cohesive paste.
How do I assemble the steak roll?
Lay the flank steak flat, spread the filling evenly over the surface, and roll it into a tight cylinder starting from one end.
How do I keep the steak roll from falling apart while cooking?
Secure the steak roll by tying it at 2-inch intervals with kitchen twine.
What is used to season the outside of the steak?
A mixture of 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and 6-8 drops of liquid smoke is brushed over the exterior.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
How do I sear the flank steak roll?
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear each side for about 1.5 minutes until browned.
How long does the steak need to roast in the oven?
Roast the seared steak roll for 15 to 20 minutes on a rack placed over a baking sheet.
What is the target internal temperature for the steak?
The steak is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius).
Why is it important to let the steak rest after cooking?
Resting the meat for about 5 minutes allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the steak remains moist and flavorful when sliced.
What are some suggested side dishes for this meal?
Herbed garlic scalloped potatoes are highly recommended to pair with this gourmet steak roll.
What type of wine pairs well with this dish?
A glass of Pinot Noir is suggested to complement the rich flavors of the blue cheese and beef.
Can I toast the pine nuts?
Yes, toasting the pine nuts is optional but recommended to enhance their nutty flavor.
What role does liquid smoke play in this recipe?
Liquid smoke is added to the exterior seasoning mixture to provide an enhanced, smoky flavor profile to the meat.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
While not explicitly stated, the 1.5 lb flank steak typically serves 4 to 6 people depending on portion sizes.
What type of garlic should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of minced roasted garlic for a mellow, sweet flavor.
Is this recipe suitable for a holiday dinner?
Yes, its gourmet presentation and rich flavor profile make it an excellent choice for special occasions and holiday dinners.
Do I need a food processor for this recipe?
A food processor is used to pulse the filling into a cohesive paste, which helps it stay inside the roll during cooking.
How often should I rotate the steak during searing?
Rotate the roll a 1/4 turn every 1.5 minutes to ensure all sides are beautifully and evenly browned.
What should I do if the spinach is still wet?
It is critical to wring out as much water as possible using a kitchen towel to prevent the filling from becoming watery.
Can I substitute the blue cheese?
While blue cheese provides the signature sharp flavor, you could experiment with other crumbly cheeses, though it will change the gourmet profile.
How do I apply the seasoning oil?
Use a kitchen brush to apply the mixture of oil, salt, pepper, and liquid smoke over the entire exterior of the tied steak roll.
Should the steak be cooked directly on a baking sheet?
It is recommended to place the steak on a rack over a baking sheet to allow for even heat circulation while roasting.
What are the main flavor profiles of this dish?
The dish combines savory beef, creamy and pungent blue cheese, earthy spinach, and smoky, salty notes from the rub.
How do I slice the steak roll for serving?
After the 5-minute resting period, remove the twine and use a sharp knife to slice the cylinder into rounds.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 9 primary ingredients including the meat, filling components, and seasonings.
Is this recipe difficult to make?
The recipe is described as surprisingly simple despite its impressive and gourmet appearance.