Denver is celebrating another round of restaurant week which means that a good number of high-end eateries are offering a special menu at the low price of $52.80 for a meal for two. Why that price? Denver is a mile above sea level, which is 5,280 feet. Get it? Good. More than a few restaurants specialize in the hugely popular tapas-style menu. But if you can't make it out to anywhere for whatever reason, recreate some of the smaller dishes right in your very own kitchen. There, $52.80 was saved.
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Tapas-Style Pepper-Steak "Parfaits"
Ingredients
Marinade and Dressing:
1/2 cup reduced-fat prepared olive oil vinaigrette
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons finely chopped cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 beef shoulder center steaks (ranch), cut 3/4-inch thick (about 8 ounces each)
2 medium red bell peppers, cut in 1/2 lengthwise
6 slices (1/4-inch thick) baguette bread, cut diagonally about 5 inches long
1 clove garlic
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves
1/4 cup chopped Spanish olives
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves, plus sprigs, for garnish
2 tablespoon shaved Manchego cheese
Directions
Combine marinade and dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Place steaks and 1/4 cup marinade in a food-safe plastic bag; turn steaks to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 15 minutes to 2 hours, turning occasionally. Cover and refrigerate the remaining marinade for dressing.
Preheat charcoal grill to medium heat.
Remove steaks from marinade; discard marinade. Place steaks and bell peppers on grill over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill steaks, uncovered, 9 to 11 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally. Grill peppers, covered, 7 to 10 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally. A few minutes before steaks are done, place bread slices on the grill. Grill until lightly toasted, turning once. Cut 1 end off garlic clove; rub cut end evenly over both sides of toasted bread.
Carve steak into thin slices; season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Dice bell peppers. Place 1 bread slice upright in each of 6 (1-cup) martini glasses. Layer with equal amounts of spinach, peppers, steak, olives, chopped cilantro, and reserved dressing. Top with cheese shavings. Garnish with cilantro sprigs, if desired.
Cook's Tip: To prepare on a gas grill, preheat the grill according to the manufacturer's directions for medium heat. Grill steaks, covered, 8 to 11 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally.
Cook's Tip: 2 beef shoulder petite tender roasts (about 8 to 12-ounces each) or 4 beef tenderloin steaks, cut 1-inch thick, may be substituted for shoulder center steaks. Grill shoulder petite tender roasts, covered, over medium, ash-covered coals, 14 to 18 minutes (over medium heat on a preheated gas grill, covered, 14 to 19 minutes) for medium-rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally. Grill tenderloin steaks, uncovered, over medium, ash-covered coals 13 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on a preheated gas grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes) for medium-rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally.
Cook's Tip: Parmesan shavings may be substituted for Manchego cheese.