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Skirt Steak With Preserved Lemon Butter and Sesame Cauliflower

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Alex Lau

Skirt steak is one of our favorite cuts of beef—it’s flavorful, affordable, and quick-cooking. That said, it’s imperative to slice it thinly against the grain for the best texture.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1 hours

  • Yield

    4 Servings

Ingredients

Preserved Lemon Butter

½ preserved lemon, seeded, finely chopped
4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 teaspoons thyme leaves
½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

Cauliflower and Steak

1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into florets
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1 garlic clove, grated
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, chopped
1½ pounds skirt steak, cut into 4 pieces
¼ cup chopped parsley

Preparation

  1. Preserved Lemon Butter

    Step 1

    Finely chop preserved lemon, butter, thyme, and lemon zest on a cutting board, mashing into a smooth paste. Transfer to a small bowl; season with salt and pepper.

    Step 2

    Do Ahead: Preserved lemon butter can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

  2. Cauliflower and Steak

    Step 3

    Preheat oven to 425°. Toss cauliflower and 2 Tbsp. oil on a large rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Roast, tossing occasionally, until cauliflower is golden brown and edges are crisp, 30–35 minutes.

    Step 4

    Meanwhile, combine garlic, lemon juice, sesame seeds, and 1 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl; set aside.

    Step 5

    Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Season steaks with salt and pepper and cook to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to a cutting board and top with preserved lemon butter; let rest at least 5 minutes before slicing.

    Step 6

    Drizzle reserved sesame seed mixture over cauliflower, scatter parsley over, and toss to combine. Serve steaks with cauliflower and any remaining preserved lemon butter alongside.

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