Bavette with caramelised endive

Serves 4

Skye Gyngell
Sunday 30 December 2007 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Bavette, or skirt steak, is a most underrated cut of beef; cut from the flank, it is packed full of flavour with the added bonus of being inexpensive. Well marbled with fat, it is best marinated for a long time (even for a couple of days) before being seared over a high heat and served rare. Here, I have served it simply with caramelised endive sweet and sharp, it works so well with the beef. It needs nothing else to complete this dish save perhaps for a very simple salad of lamb's lettuce with walnuts and segments of oranges, dressed lightly with a walnut-oil dressing.

1 skirt steak (800g-900g/13/4lb)
2 garlic cloves
140ml/1/4pint of tamari or light soya sauce
250ml/8fl oz extra-virgin olive oil
3tbsp red-wine vinegar
A few sprigs of lemon thyme
A generous grind of black pepper

For the braised endive

6 Belgian endives
50g/2oz unsalted butter
1tbsp caster sugar
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Trim the steak of any sinewy bits. Then separate the thick end of the cut from the thinner end and place into a non-reactive bowl. Slice and chop the garlic, and mix with the tamari or soya sauce, olive oil, vinegar, thyme and pepper. Pour over the meat. Cover and leave to marinate over night or, better still, for a couple of days in the fridge.

When ready to serve, prepare the endive. Heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas4. Slice the endive in half lengthwise and lay cut side up on a roasting tray. Dot over the butter and sprinkle over the sugar. Season and place on the middle shelf of the hot oven. Roast for 25 minutes or until golden.

While the endive is roasting, heat a grill, hot plate or large, heavy based frying pan. Remove the meat from the marinade, reserving the marinade, and pat dry with kitchen paper. Add one tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and place over a high heat.

Cook the meat for 60 to 90 seconds on either side, remove from the pan and allow to rest for eight to 10 minutes.

Place the marinade in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Slice the beef across the grain into strips. Pour the warm marinade over the meat and serve with the endive.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in