Cedar Planked Southwestern Steak Food

CEDAR PLANK TUNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
• Immerse cedar planks in water and soak for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Once oven is hot preheat the plank for 5 minutes prior to starting the tuna.
• Heat a large saute pan over high heat. Season the tuna on all sides with salt and pepper then rub with olive oil. Place 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the hot saute pan. Sear the tuna on 1 side until well browned, about 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from pan placing onto the preheated cedar plank seared side up. Place on a half sheet pan. Place into the oven and roast 2 minutes (for medium rare), or until desired doneness.
• Heat large saute pan over medium heat, toast the fennel seeds, until lightly brown and fragrant. Place olive oil and butter into the heated pan, once the butter melts and starts to brown add the thinly sliced fennel and shallot. Season fennel with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until the fennel becomes somewhat soft and starts to brown, about 8 minutes. Finish with the chopped parsley. Set pan aside and keep warm until ready to plate.
• Shrimp Vinaigrette:
• Heat large saucepan over high heat. Add the olive oil. Add the garlic, shallot and chiles, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the shrimp, white wine and orange juice to the pan, cover and lower heat to medium. Cook shrimp until they have turned pink, be careful not to overcook them. When shrimp are cooked through, remove them with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Reduce liquid by half, then, finish the sauce with the orange segments, chopped parsley, and butter.
• Walnut Polenta:
• Heat a large straight-sided pan over high heat. Add milk and butter and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in polenta, reduce flame to low. Stir for 3 to 5 minutes. Fold in half of the chopped walnuts. Season with salt and pepper.
• Assembly:
• Place some of the sauteed fennel on the cut cedar plank. Slice tuna and arrange on top of fennel. Place plank on half of a rectangle plate. Spoon shrimp vinaigrette over tuna. Spoon polenta into cast iron casserole. Garnish with grated Parmesan and grate the remaining walnuts, over the polenta, and drizzle with walnut oil. Place casserole on the other half of the plate. Repeat procedure for the remaining portions.

SOUTH AMERICAN MARINATED CEDAR-PLANKED STEAK

Steps:

• IMMERSE plank in water, placing a weight on top of plank to keep it submerged. Soak at least 4 hours or overnight. Meanwhile, mix dressing, onions, parsley, cilantro, garlic and red pepper. Remove 1/2 cup of the dressing mixture; set aside for later use. Pour remaining dressing mixture into large resealable plastic bag; add steak. Seal bag; turn over several times to evenly coat steak with the dressing mixture. Refrigerate at least 2 hours to marinate.
• PREHEAT barbecue to high heat. Remove steak from marinade; discard bag and marinade. Grill steak 3 minute on each side; remove from barbecue. Remove plank from water; brush top with oil. Top with steak. Place on grate of barbecue; cover with lid. Reduce barbecue to medium heat.
• GRILL 15 to 20 minute or until medium doneness (160ºF). Remove steak from barbecue; discard plank. Cover steak loosely with foil; let stand 5 minute Cut steak into thin slices. Spoon reserved dressing mixture over steak.

SOUTH AMERICAN MARINATED CEDAR-PLANKED STEAK

Steps:

• Immerse plank in water, placing a weight on top of plank to keep it submerged. Soak at least 4 hours or overnight. Meanwhile, mix dressing, onions, parsley, cilantro, garlic and red pepper. Remove 1/2 cup of the dressing mixture; set aside for later use. Pour remaining dressing mixture into large resealable plastic bag; add steak. Seal bag; turn over several times to evenly coat steak with the dressing mixture. Refrigerate at least 2 hours to marinate.
• Preheat grill to high heat. Remove steak from marinade; discard bag and marinade. Grill steak 3 min. on each side; remove from grill. Remove plank from water; brush top with oil. Top with steak. Place on grate of grill; cover with lid. Reduce grill to medium heat.
• Grill 15 to 20 min. or until medium doneness (160ºF). Remove steak from grill; discard plank. Cover steak loosely with foil; let stand 5 min. Cut steak into thin slices. Spoon reserved dressing mixture over steak.