Balsamic-Pepper Flank Steak with Grilled Pears and Blue Cheese

For extra flavor, the marinade can be mixed with beef broth, boiled and reduced until thick – while the steak cooks – then drizzled over the finished dish.


1/4 c. The Spicy Olive’s Traditional Balsamic
2 cloves garlic
1 tbsp. black peppercorns
Kosher salt
1.5 lbs. flank steak
2 pears, peeled, halved and cored
Crumbled blue cheese, for topping
In a blender, combine the vinegar, garlic, peppercorns and 1 tsp. of kosher salt. Blend for 20 seconds, then transfer to a wide shallow bowl. Add the steak to the marinade, turning to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, over night if possible.
When ready to cook, heat the broiler with a rack six inches from the heat. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil, then coat it lightly with any of The Spicy Olive’s single-varietal EVOO. Cut each pear half into four slices and arrange them on one half of the sheet. Remove the steak from the marinade and set it on the other half of the sheet. Broil everything for five minutes. Use tongs to flip the steak and pears. Broil for another five minutes for medium-rare.
Let the steaks rest for 10 minutes then cut into thin slices against the grain. Divide the slices between 4 serving plates, then top each with pear slices.
Top each serving with a little bit of crumbled blue cheese and serve.