WATERCRESS SALAD W/STEAK, SAUTEED SHALLOTS & STILTON

Watercress Salad with Steak, Sautéed Shallots & Stilton

Stilton is a type of English cheese, known for its characteristic strong smell and taste. It is produced in two varieties: the well-known blue and the lesser-known white. Both have been granted the status of a protected designation of origin by the European Commission, together one of only seventeen British products to have such a designation.^[1] Only cheese produced in the three English counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire – and made according to a strict code – may be called "Stilton". This means that cheese produced in Stilton, the village in Cambridgeshire for which the cheese is named, would not legally be allowed to be called Stilton Cheese.

This salad is heavier on greens than on steak, making it a light but filling meal.  

Serves 4

3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
Kosher salt
12- to 14-oz. strip steak or rib eye (1 inch thick)
Freshly ground black pepper
4 large shallots, sliced 1/4 inch thick (about 1-1/2 cups)
6 cups (lightly packed) small watercress sprigs (about 2 bunches trimmed of lower stems), torn into bite-size pieces
2 oz. Stilton, crumbled (about 1/2 cup)

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In a small bowl, whisk 2 Tbs. of the olive oil, the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and a generous pinch of salt. Season both sides of the steak with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
In a 10-inch straight-sided saute pan, heat the remaining 1 Tbs. oil over medium-high heat until hot. Cook the steak, without disturbing, swirling the oil in the pan occasionally, until the bottom of the steak is deeply browned, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook until the other side is nicely browned, about 3 minutes more. Transfer the steak to a cutting board.
Turn the heat to low and cook the shallots, stirring frequently, until softened and lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes. (Use a spatula or spoon to break apart the shallot slices and to incorporate some of the browned bits from the pan.) Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
Slice the beef thinly. Fan an equal number of slices on each of 4 dinner plates. Rewhisk the dressing if necessary. In a large bowl, toss the shallots, watercress, and Stilton with a generous pinch of salt and just enough of the dressing to coat. Season with more salt and pepper and arrange the salad over the beef slices.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with toasty Grilled Garlic Bread.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 260; Fat (g): 19; Fat Calories (kcal): 170; Saturated Fat (g): 6; Protein (g): 18; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 10; Carbohydrates (g): 4; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 1.5; Sodium (mg): 420; Cholesterol (mg): 45; Fiber (g): 0;