steak and sweet corn salad with basil vinaigrette
Around our house, we generally don't eat a lot of red meat. When grilling a steak, I usually serve a small portion of the meat and surround it with lots of yummy vegetables or a great salad. This Steak and Sweet Corn Salad is a perfect example of allowing the meat to shine while controlling the portion size. I promise you won't miss the quantity of steak since this combination of sweet and savory summer ingredients is so delicious. I like to thinly slice the steak and thread the slices on skewers, but you could also opt to grill the whole steak and slice it thinly after cooking. Either way, it will be delicious! This salad would also be wonderful with grilled chicken or shrimp. I roast the corn in a high heat oven as it tends to caramelize and sweeten a bit as it cooks. If it's a warm summer day you can roast the corn early in the day, cut the kernels from the cob and refrigerate until thirty minutes before preparing the salads. You can also roast the corn on the grill before you cook the steaks and allow to cool slightly before adding to the salad. The cilantro adds a fresh vibrant flavor and the potatoes, while a bit unusual in a salad, are fantastic with the steak and the sweet, brightly flavored dressing. Juicy red tomatoes add a lovely color contrast and yet another layer of sweet deliciousness. This is a salad you will want again and again on these warm summer evenings!
Ingredients
- - for salad
- 8 cups fresh salad greens
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 4 - ears corn, shucked and silk removed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup tiny potatoes, cooked, drained and halved when cooled
- 1-1 1/2 pounds rib-eye, new york strip or sirloin steak
- 1 medium lime, juiced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- - sweet basil vinaigrette (see recipe)
- - for dressing
- 1/4 pound fresh basil
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 3/4 cup canola oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- - sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How To Make steak and sweet corn salad with basil vinaigrette
-
Step 1For salad: soak 8 wooden skewers in water for 1 hour. For marinade, combine lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a zip lock bag. Thinly slice steak, lengthwise, and add to marinade in bag. Let sit at room temperature while preparing other components of the salad. -
Step 2Preheat oven to 425. Combine the 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper on a sheet pan. Place corn on sheet pan and rub with hands to coat with oil mixture. Roast for 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. You want the corn to be nicely caramelized in spots. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. When cool, cut corn kernels from cobs and set aside. (This can be done early in the day and refrigerated, just bring to room temperature before adding to salad.)
-
Step 3Heat grill to medium high. Thread steak, accordion-style, onto the soaked skewers, packing fairly tight. (You want to pack tightly so that meat doesn't get done before edges have a chance to nicely brown.) Place on heated grill and cook to desired doneness, flipping once, approximately 5-6 minutes per side. Remove from grill and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
-
Step 4In the meantime, arrange lettuce on 4 large plates. Sprinkle with cilantro. Divide corn, potatoes and tomatoes evenly among salads. Arrange 2 steak skewers atop of each salad and drizzle with Sweet Basil Vinaigrette. Serve and expect rave reviews!
-
Step 5For dressing: In a food processor bowl or blender combine vinegar, basil, garlic, mustard, sugar and honey. Puree mixture until smooth. With motor running slowly add the salad oil to form an emulsion. Season with salt and pepper to taste
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
