3583. BLUE CHEESE and BACON STUFFED FLANK STEAK

serves four as entrée; serves 10-12 as appetizer


1, 1½-2 lb. flank steak
¾ cup blue cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
6 oz. bacon, diced medium
2 tablespoons green onion
2 oz. bread crumbs
2 oz. baby spinach
2 oz. ale or lager beer
2 oz. olive oil
Kosher or sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste

On an even cutting surface, trim the fat off the flank steak. With a sharp knife, cut the thickness of the flank steak in half as evenly as possible. You should have two pieces that are as large as your original piece but half as thick. Lay each piece side-by-side; place plastic wrap over the top of both pieces and, with the smooth side of a tenderizer, pound meat until its total size has increased slightly and the meat has an even thickness. Refrigerate until ready for use.

Fry bacon on medium heat, rendering the fat. Remove the bacon and set in a mixing bowl. Add garlic to the hot bacon fat; when it starts to brown, add the beer and, with a wooden spoon, detach the bacon particles from the bottom of the pan (deglaze). Add the spinach and wilt it for about 15-20 seconds, then scrape the entire contents of the pan into the mixing bowl with the bacon. Add blue cheese, bread crumbs, and green onion; mix thoroughly and divide in two.

Remove meat from refrigerator; season both sides with salt and pepper. Spread the mixture evenly on the flank steak pieces, leaving about 1½ inches of exposed meat around the edge. Roll firmly but not super tight; hold seam together with toothpicks.

Brown in hot pan with olive oil, seam side down first, evenly on all sides. Transfer to a shallow baking dish and finish in a 350°F oven for 15-18 minutes. Let rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.


bacon recipe source: Nugget Markets (@Nugget_Market), 168 Court St, Woodland, CA 95695