Wasabi Flank Steak and Miso-Glazed Potatoes

ACTIVE: 20 MINTOTAL: 40 MIN 6 SERVINGS CHEF WAY

Yagihashi crusts strip steak with a spicy wasabi-horseradish cream, then serves it with miso-glazed potatoes and deep-fried salsify (a root vegetable).

HEALTHIER WAY Coat lean but tasty flank steak with bottled horseradish and wasabi – no cream. Skip the salsify.

2 tablespoons wasabi powder
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons drained horseradish
1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
One 2-pound flank steak
4 teaspoons canola oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound fingerling potatoes
1 tablespoon miso
1 tablespoon mirin
1 bunch watercress, stemmed
1. Preheat the oven to 450° and preheat a cast-iron grill pan. In a bowl, combine wasabi and water. Stir in the horseradish and soy sauce. Rub the steak with 1 teaspoon of the oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the steak over high heat until lightly charred, 5 minutes. Flip the steak and spread the wasabi over the charred side.
2. Transfer the pan to the oven and roast the steak for 10 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 135° for medium-rare; transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a saucepan of boiling water, cook the potatoes for 15 minutes. Drain and let cool, then peel. Wipe out the saucepan. Add the remaining oil and the potatoes and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, 5 minutes. Combine the miso and mirin; add to the potatoes and cook, stirring, until glazed, about 2 minutes.
4. Thinly slice the steak across the grain and serve with the potatoes and watercress.

Food & Wine Magazine, March 2009 “Simple, Healthy Japanese-Style Home Cooking”
Article – page 58 Recipe – page 66
Chef Takashi Yagihashi
Photographs by Tina Rupp