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Balsamic-Glazed Steaks with Orzo Salad

By Jessica Rudolph

Published on June 21, 2021

Time

1 hour

Yield

Serves 4

Balsamic-Glazed Steaks with Orzo Salad

Ingredients

12 ounces eggplant, cut into ¾-inch pieces8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into ¾-inch pieces½ red onion, cut into ¾-inch pieces6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided1¾ teaspoons table salt, divided, plus salt for cooking pasta1 teaspoon pepper, divided1 cup orzo 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 2 (1-pound) strip steaks, 1 inch thick, trimmed and halved crosswise

Before You Begin

One small globe eggplant weighs roughly 12 ounces.

Instructions

  1.  Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Toss eggplant, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, ¼ cup oil, 3 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper together on rimmed baking sheet and spread into even layer. Roast until vegetables are slightly softened and charred in spots, about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through roasting.
  2.  Meanwhile, bring 2 quarts water to boil in large saucepan. Add orzo, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Drain orzo and transfer to large bowl. Stir in chives and roasted vegetables and any accumulated juices; set aside.
  3.  Pat steaks dry with paper towels and sprinkle with remaining ¾ teaspoon salt and remaining ½ teaspoon pepper. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add steaks and cook, flipping steaks every 2 minutes, until well browned and meat registers 115 to 120 degrees, 8 to 12 minutes. Transfer steaks to plate. Off heat, add remaining 3 tablespoons vinegar to now-empty skillet. Cook over medium heat until syrupy, about 2 minutes. Off heat, return steaks to skillet and turn to coat with vinegar. Serve steaks with orzo salad.
Balsamic-Glazed Steaks with Orzo Salad
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Chantal Lambeth.

Balsamic-Glazed Steaks with Orzo Salad

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Time

1 hour

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

12 ounces eggplant, cut into ¾-inch pieces
8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into ¾-inch pieces
½ red onion, cut into ¾-inch pieces
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
1¾ teaspoons table salt, divided, plus salt for cooking pasta
1 teaspoon pepper, divided
1 cup orzo
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 (1-pound) strip steaks, 1 inch thick, trimmed and halved crosswise

Ingredients

12 ounces eggplant, cut into ¾-inch pieces
8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into ¾-inch pieces
½ red onion, cut into ¾-inch pieces
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
1¾ teaspoons table salt, divided, plus salt for cooking pasta
1 teaspoon pepper, divided
1 cup orzo
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 (1-pound) strip steaks, 1 inch thick, trimmed and halved crosswise

Ingredients

12 ounces eggplant, cut into ¾-inch pieces
8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into ¾-inch pieces
½ red onion, cut into ¾-inch pieces
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
1¾ teaspoons table salt, divided, plus salt for cooking pasta
1 teaspoon pepper, divided
1 cup orzo
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 (1-pound) strip steaks, 1 inch thick, trimmed and halved crosswise

Why This Recipe Works

Cooking down balsamic vinegar created a thick, syrupy reduction that clung to the cooked steaks.

Before You Begin

One small globe eggplant weighs roughly 12 ounces.

Instructions

  1.  Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Toss eggplant, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, ¼ cup oil, 3 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper together on rimmed baking sheet and spread into even layer. Roast until vegetables are slightly softened and charred in spots, about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through roasting.
  2.  Meanwhile, bring 2 quarts water to boil in large saucepan. Add orzo, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Drain orzo and transfer to large bowl. Stir in chives and roasted vegetables and any accumulated juices; set aside.
  3.  Pat steaks dry with paper towels and sprinkle with remaining ¾ teaspoon salt and remaining ½ teaspoon pepper. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add steaks and cook, flipping steaks every 2 minutes, until well browned and meat registers 115 to 120 degrees, 8 to 12 minutes. Transfer steaks to plate. Off heat, add remaining 3 tablespoons vinegar to now-empty skillet. Cook over medium heat until syrupy, about 2 minutes. Off heat, return steaks to skillet and turn to coat with vinegar. Serve steaks with orzo salad.

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