Buzz on London Broil

It's a valued added steak—costing less, but delivering all the steak jazz on your dinner table. Don't be confused, it’s not a cut of beef, but rather a method of cooking which became popular from restaurant menus. Originally, the cut of meat was flank steak, but it’s common to find London Broil applied to almost any cut of beef that is very lean and less tender, often found in the market as labeled Top Round. The top secret to making a tasty London Broil is a great marinade or rub, grilled on high heat, allow it to rest a few minutes before slicing thin pieces of meat across the grain.

To make a tasty London Broil Steak this weekend get my recipe now, so you can marinate the steak for at least 24 hours!

George's London Broil

Makes 6-8 servings | From George Hirsch Living it UP! TV series

2 pounds hanger steak, sirloin, flank, or top round  

1 cup orange juice

8 cloves garlic, chopped 

1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 Tablespoon cilantro, or other aromatic herb like rosemary

2 teaspoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons hot sauce

Fresh ground black pepper

Place orange juice, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, cilantro, soy and hot sauce in bowl and blend well.

Pour blended marinade over beef and marinate 24-48 hours in refrigerator.

Preheat a cast iron pan grill pan or outdoor grill to high heat.  Remove meat from marinade, dry off with paper towels and grill on high heat for two minutes on each side, brushing with marinade while cooking.  Lower heat and allow to cook slowly to desired doneness. Remove from grill and allow meat to rest 3-4 minutes before slicing. Slice meat thinly against the grain. 

Serve London Broil sliced steak with optional toppings:

sour cream

sliced avocados

roasted peppers 

chopped plum tomatoes

grilled onions

chefgeorgehirsch.com

Signs of the Season

 

Earlier this week my subscribers to George Hirsch Lifestyle extra received an advance on this week's Know Your Fire Friday post, "All Fired UP!" with the recipe for my Secret Sliced Strip Steak as I prepared on Live with Regis and Kelly.

To receive George Hirsch Lifestyle extra

For the recipe + secret ingredient

click image for larger view

Meanwhile, as summer 2011 kicks-in with Memorial Day Weekend, here's a peak at signs of the season.

Back Pocket Dish

I'm often asked - What's your favorite food to cook? Honestly, I enjoy all forms of cooking + baking - especially for my family, friends + my TV viewers. But, if pressed for a specific category or recipe - which is a bit difficult, sort of like asking a parent who your favorite child is... I might lean towards dishes that I make often and consider these my back pocket dishes. Having a few of these tried-n-true recipes in your repertoire is a must. These are those recipes that you can make in a moments notice, do well + have fun with. It being a crowd pleaser is always a plus for your guests. My back pocket recipe's ingredients are practically universal, flavors easily available, and doable for the at-home chef. 

A good back pocket recipe can come from a recipe handed down within the family, a friend or maybe from your favorite TV chef. Well, wherever it comes from I encourage you to share + spread your good food.

Here's one of my favorite Back Pocket Dishes.

Short Ribs

Enjoy this hearty popular dish from this week's episode of George Hirsch Living it UP!

Short Ribs of Beef with Orange Ginger Sauce 

Makes four servings | As seen on George Hirsch Living it UP! TV series 

4 pounds Beef short ribs, bone in 

1/4 cup flour, for coating beef short ribs 

2 Tablespoons olive oil 

4 cloves garlic, sliced thin 

1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and chopped 

1 leek, whites only cut into one inch pieces 

2 teaspoons sesame oil 

2 teaspoons sherry 

2 teaspoons soy sauce 

juice of one orange 

1 1/2 cups beef broth  

Coat beef ribs with flour, shaking off any excess.  

Pre heat a braising or sauce pot to medium high temperature. Add olive oil and sear beef short ribs until well browned, turning only once on each side. 

Drain any excess oil. Lower temperature of pot, add garlic, ginger, leeks, sesame oil, sherry, soy sauce, orange juice and beef broth. Bring sauce up to a boil, then lower to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 1 1/2- 2 hours or until meat is beginning to fall away from the bone.  

When short ribs are fully cooked, remove meat from pot. Raise the temperature of the sauce to a low boil. Reduce the sauce to naturally thicken. 

Serve with steamed dumplings and stir-fry vegetables.