Steak & Chimichurri Crostini w/ Eggs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohAwdoWRWIA

Midweek brought a delightful surprise into our kitchen—a captivating artisanal loaf of Pane Francese bread from Cafe D'Avignon, rescued through the “Too Good To Go” app, invoking a sense of culinary adventure. As Friday dawned, during our routine grocery planning, I mentally took inventory of our pantry.

Only half of the artisanal Pane Francese remained (a testament to Cafe D'Avignon's quality), and from the week prior a small tub of Trader Joe’s Chimichurri sauce was still quietly nestled in our fridge, an unexpected addition to our culinary arsenal. Amidst this familiar choreography, a culinary brainstorm struck me—a twist on the time-honored classic, steak and eggs.

The Pane Francese, with its rustic charm, stood as a testament to the joy of repurposing, with the Chimichurri sauce beckoning me to the creation table. From the genius of transforming these leftovers into something extraordinary, "Steak & Chimichurri Crostini w/ Eggs" was born.

Perhaps it's my legacy of a family rooted in Soul Food—a tradition of reimagining dishes with available ingredients—that inspired this creation. Looking back, I recognize this dish (like others) is an amalgamation of diverse culinary influences woven into the fabric of my experiences. From friendships to travels, these varied encounters have all contributed hues to my culinary palette.

Start your own culinary explorations, drawing wisdom from the maestros of our time. Transforming steak & eggs, and toast into culinary marvels with a sprinkle of inspiration and a dash of knowledge.

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Tips & Tricks

Steak Perfection

Cooking a perfect steak involves a few essential techniques. Allowing steaks to reach room temperature ensures even cooking, while patting them dry before cooking ensures optimal contact and a crispy exterior.

Choosing the right oil, using a very hot skillet, and flipping the steak as needed are crucial steps as well. Avoid overcooking by using a meat thermometer and resting the steak before serving. When slicing, cut against the grain, and serve on a warm plate to maintain optimal temperature and texture.

Eggs Excellence

Crafting perfect over-easy eggs involves a balance between set whites and a delightfully runny yolk. Unlike sunny-side-up eggs, over-easy eggs are flipped, ensuring both sides are cooked while maintaining a runny yolk. Choosing the right nonstick pan is crucial to prevent sticking, allowing the eggs to glide effortlessly onto your plate.

Knowing when to flip is key; wait until most of the whites are set but still slightly unset around the yolks. Use a wide spatula to gently flip the eggs, cooking for a brief moment more on the other side for fully set whites. Scale the recipe for more servings and opt for a larger pan for multiple eggs.

Crostini Creation

Toasting bread in the oven presents an easy and convenient alternative to using a toaster, especially when you need to prepare a large batch of toast or want options like garlic bread or Texas toast. With the oven set at 350°F and a rimmed baking sheet, this no-broiler method ensures a gradual toasting process, allowing for added flexibility in your cooking routine.

Simply place the bread slices in a single layer on the ungreased baking sheet and flip the slices halfway to achieve perfectly browned toast on both sides.

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YIELDS	PREP TIME	TOTAL TIME	CALORIES
III	III	III	III
4 servings	10 mins	50 mins	Approx. 884 cals

Ingredients

2 lb. flank steak

3 Eggs

½ Yellow Onion

Fresh Bread

Chimichurri Sauce (or Trader Joe's)

Grated Parmesan (Optional)

Parsley Flakes (Optional)

Black pepper (Optional)

STEAK MARINADE 

1/3 c. extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 c. reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 tbsp. lime (or lemon) juice

2 tbsp. packed light brown sugar

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar. Add steak and toss until coated. Marinate for at least 2 hours (overnight if possible).

Step 2

Turn stove to medium-high heat. Add steak to skillet and cook to your liking, about 6 minutes per side for medium-rare (time varies depending on steak thickness). While steak cooks, slice onion and set to the side.

Step 3

When steak is cooked, remove from skillet and let rest. Add sliced onions to skillet and toss thoroughly in pan drippings from steak. Cook onions over low heat, stirring every 5-7 minutes to caramelize. If dry add water to prevent burning.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to 300°F and find a baking sheet to hold all the bread you want. Do NOT butter or grease it. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the toast for 4-6 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy. 

Step 5

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Crack 2-3 eggs and add to skillet. Cook until the whites are almost set (about 2 minutes) and carefully flip. Season the eggs with parmesan, parsley, and pepper. Cook until the whites are completely set.

Step 6

Once steak is set, cut in half (going against the grain) and then into small strips. Remove toast from oven, onions from heat, and prepare chimichurri sauce. 

Step 7

Plate toast and lightly spread chimichurri sauce. Place steak strips onto toast with caramelized onions and additional chimichurri. Remove eggs from skillet onto plate and enjoy ;)