Grilled Flank Steaks with Whipped Feta to Greet Spring

For the past few weeks spring has gradually been making its presence known here in New England. Temperatures reached into the sixties last Saturday, warm enough for us to open our porch. The grass in our yard, blanketed with snow for months, now has a faint verdant hue. And, of course, daylight savings time is offering us longer, light-filled days. All of this has made me eager to change from cold to warm weather cooking.

Recently I couldn’t wait to try a recipe for lemon and garlic grilled flank steak topped with dollops of whipped feta. The dish was a perfect anchor for a simple weeknight meal my husband and I shared. The meat is marinated in a classic mixture of lemon, garlic, and olive oil, but gets a robust herbal accent from a generous amount of fresh chopped dill. When sliced, the rosy pink strips of steak are topped with mounds of creamy whipped feta, also scented with lemon and dill.

You’ll need to plan on marinating the steaks at least three hours or longer, but you’ll discover that the marinade takes only minutes to assemble. The “quick as a wink” whipped feta requires only about 10 minutes of your time, and can be made ahead. (Any leftover Whipped Feta is delicious on toasted pitas.) This recipe serves 3 to 4, but you can easily double the ingredients if you’re cooking for a larger crowd during this new season!

 

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Grilled Lemon and Garlic Flank Steak with Whipped Feta

3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup olive oil plus extra for oiling an outdoor grill or grill pan
3 large garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1/3 cup chopped fresh dill plus extra sprigs for garnish
One flank steak, about 1 1/3 pounds, trimmed of excess fat

Whipped Feta
1 cup (8 ounces) crumbled feta
1/4 cup olive oil
4 tsp chopped dill
2 tsp grated lemon zest

1. In a large nonreactive baking dish (a 9- x13-inch pyrex dish works well), whisk together the lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and the olive oil. Stir in the garlic cloves, and chopped dill. Place the steak in the dish, turn several times, and cover with plastic wrap. Marinate in the refrigerator at least 3 hours or overnight, turning occasionally. Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking.

2. For the whipped feta, place the cheese in a mixing bowl and, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat 30 seconds, then gradually, a little at a time, beat in the olive oil until mixture has become blended and somewhat smooth. Stir in the dill and lemon zest. (Whipped Feta can be prepared 3 hours ahead; cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving.)

3.To cook the steaks, oil a large stove top grill pan lightly, and place over medium high heat. If using an outdoor grill, arrange a rack 4 to 5 inches from the heat source and oil it generously. Prepare the grill for a hot fire (high temperature).

4 Remove steak from marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Salt and pepper lightly on both sides. When grill pan or outdoor grill is hot, add the steak and grill 5 to 6 minutes (depending on its thickness) per side for medium-rare. (Internal temperature should be 135 to 140 degrees F.) Remove to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Cut meat on the diagonal against the grain into 1/4-inch thick slices.

5. Arrange the sliced meat on a platter and top with dollops of Whipped Feta. Pass extra  Whipped Feta in a small serving bowl. Garnish the meat with a bouquet of dill sprigs. Serves 3 generously or 4 with slightly smaller portions.

Copyright Betty Rosbottom 2019

4 thoughts on “Grilled Flank Steaks with Whipped Feta to Greet Spring

  1. Hi Betty-
    Just in time for grilling season and dinners on the porch! Thank you for your recipe for grilled lemon and garlic flank steak with whipped feta! Made it over the weekend to outstanding reviews. The whipped feta can stand on it’s own –with pita or crostini! Actually a spoon works—it’s that good! LOL! Thank you Betty!
    Margie Yoder

    • Thank you so much, Margie! Your note made my day! I’m so pleased you liked that whipped feta with the grilled steaks! I had some
      leftover feta on a toasted baguette for lunch today. It was gorgeous in New England where we live yesterday–definitely grilling weather, but today it’s cold and gray so I’m making braised pork chops.Happy spring! Betty

  2. I just whipped up a batch of whipped feta!! I’m having it with my roast this evening! I never thought to do that with feta before! It will be sooo good!

    • So glad you’re enjoying that recipe. I’ve used it twice as a dip for cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and toasted baguette slices!

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