Bistecca Alla Fiorentina Tuscan Porterhouse Food

BISTECCA ALLA FIORENTINA (TUSCAN PORTERHOUSE)

Steps:

• Press chopped rosemary onto both sides of porterhouse steak; set onto a plate and allow to marinate at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Start an outdoor grill using hardwood charcoal, such as hickory. When coals are white and glowing, arrange for high heat.
• Gently brush or rub olive oil onto steak, then season to taste with sea salt and pepper.
• Place steak onto grill, and cook until a dark, golden brown (not burnt) crust forms, 5 to 10 minutes depending on thickness of meat. Turn over, and continue cooking until golden on the other side, 5 to 10 minutes more. When finished, place steak onto a platter, and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
• To serve, remove the two pieces of meat from the bone, and replace the bone onto the serving platter. Trim any unwanted fat from the round (tenderloin) steak, slice into 6 equal pieces at an angle to the grain, and fan out on one side of the bone. Slice the rectangular (loin) steak into 1/4-inch slices at an angle to the grain. Fan out on the other side of the bone. Finish by garnishing the platter with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of additional sea salt.

BISTECCA ALL FIORENTINA

Steps:

• Let the steak rest outside the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cooking. Use a hot, clean, oiled grill. If pan roasting, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Liberally season the steak with the salt and pepper, coat with olive oil and press the seasoning into the meat. Grill the steaks for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side for medium rare. The fillet will cook a little faster than the strip loin. Move the steaks every 2 minutes or so for even cooking and a crispy exterior.
• For pan roasting, heat a cast iron skillet with a little olive oil until smoking hot. Turn on the fan, open the window and stand back to avoid getting splattered! Using tongs, place the steaks in the center of the pan. Cook until the first side is seared brown, about 4 minutes. Turn the steaks and place the pan in the oven until the steaks are done, about 6 minutes for medium rare. Remove the steaks to a carving board and let rest for at least 5 minutes before carving.
• Cut the steaks away from the bone and carve into 1/2-inch slices. Arrange the meat on warmed plates and drizzle a little bit of balsamic vinegar over the slices. Serve with some extra gray sea salt on the side.

TUSCAN T- BONE STEAK OR BISTECCA ALLA FIORENTINA

Steps:

• Trim any excess fat from steak and pat dry with paper towels.
• Pour olive oil into a shallow dish and add garlic and rosemary. Turn the steak in the oil, ensuring there is some garlic and rosemary on each side.
• Cover dish with a double layer of plastic wrap and let marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours, turning the meat a couple of times.
• Bring the meat to room temperature before cooking.
• Preheat charcoal barbecue, when coals are covered with white ash you are ready to cook! (I have made this on a gas barbeque, it is delicious).
• Take the meat out of the marinade and remove any pieces of garlic or rosemary from the steak. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Place the steak on a rack about 3 inches above the coals and cook for about 4 minutes.
• Turn steak over and cook for another 3 minutes, steak will be rare.
• Cook for a couple of minutes longer on each side for medium-rare, but this is traditionally served rare.
• Transfer to a warm plate, season both sides with salt and pepper, then let the meat rest for 5 minutes.
• To serve - stand the steak upright with the bone at the bottom and, using a sharp knife, remove the meat on either side of the bone in one piece.
• Cut each piece into thick slices. Divide the slices between 2 serving plates.
• Pour the meat juices that have accumulated over the sliced steak.
• Drizzle with a little of the best extra virgin olive oil you can lay your hands on!
• Serve with sauteed potatoes, an arugula salad and lemon wedges if desired, accompanied by a glass of Chianti Classico or your favourite red wine.
• ENJOY!
• Marinating time not included in prep time.

FLORENTINE STYLE STEAK -- BISTECCA ALLA FIORENTINA

Steps:

• Remove the steaks from the refrigerator, rinse under water, pat dry with paper towels and allow to sit at room temperature 30 minutes before cooking.
• Put the fatback, garlic and rosemary into a food processor and blend until it is the consistency of toothpaste.
• Rub the fat mixture evenly over the meat and season with coarse salt and fresh ground pepper.
• Use a hot, clean, oiled grill and grill the steaks for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side for medium rare.
• The fillet will cook a little faster than the strip loin. Move the steaks frequently, approximately every 2 minutes or so, for even cooking and a crispy exterior.
• When the steaks are cooked, take them off the grill and allow to rest for 5 to 7 minutes. The resting allows the blood to circulate and distributes the juices evenly.
• Serve and enjoy!