Herb Crusted Steak and Shrimp copy

It’s probably been a crazy week for many of you. I know it has been for me. I think the day after Labor Day should be considered the first of the year because that’s how it feels. Vacation time is over and the real work begins, whether you’re a kid going back to school or a big kid getting back to work.

By the time Saturday rolls around, many of us may feel a renewed sense of appreciation for the routine of our “real” lives as well as a feeling of loss for the carefree days of summer that went by all too quickly.

I don’t know about you, but whenever something comes to an end I need a few days to readjust. It’s a little like how I feel when the party’s over – that little let down feeling that I know will pass but asks, “Now what?”

Now what feels a bit uncomfortable so in these moments I find that serving up some comfort food helps me to feel…well…more comfortable.

This week let me comfort you with a simple meat and potatoes recipe that you can fire up the grill for again, or make on the stovetop. It bridges the gap between Summer and Fall by utilizing all those fresh herbs still readily available and using them to impact even more flavor to this land and sea duo.

This delicious duo can be grilled or pan seared and it’s naturally gluten free.

(I pan seared this because it was raining)

And I added some fries because I’m a French fry freak and I only allow myself this treat once in a while, but if that’s not something you want to do, serve this dish with a simple tossed salad.

1 8oz steak per person

2 jumbo shrimp per person

1 potato per person; cut into fries

Splash of olive oil

 

Herb Rub

This is what I used but feel free to make up your own.

(this is good for at least 2 medium steaks)

 

2 – 3 fresh basil leaves

2 – 3 sprigs of fresh parsley (stems removed)

1 sprig fresh rosemary (stems removed)

2- 3 fresh sage leaves

1 teaspoon dry oregano

2 large cloves fresh garlic

Freshly ground salt and pepper to taste

 

  • Place herbs and garlic in a mound on the cutting board. Chop everything until fine.
  • Heat your grill or saute pan to med/high
  • Brush steaks with oil
  • Coat each side with the rub
  • Place on the grill and cook until done to taste *

 

For the shrimp

 

  • Place the saute pan on the grill (or stovetop)
  • Clean and devein the shrimp
  • Add oil to the pan (just enough to cover the bottom) and heat until hot but not smoking
  • Add the shrimp and cook for about one minute on each side or until both sides are pink and the center turns from translucent to opaque. About 30 seconds before the shrimp are cooked, add some finely chopped garlic and some of the herbs you used for the steak and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

For the Potatoes

Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to get right. Making fries at home is one of those things. So here’s a link that shows you the secret to making the best French fries at home. Click here

Plate and enjoy

Don’t forget to drizzle some of the juices from the pan you sautéed the shrimp in over the shrimp and steak on each plate for some juicy goodness.

…and a few tips to insure its just the way you like it.

Rare steaks have a lot of give when pushed down with your finger

Medium rare has less give

Well done has little give when touched. For best results when cooking a steak on the well side, move it to a low heat area of the grill so that the outside doesn’t get overdone or finish the steak in the oven (at 375) until it reaches the desired level of cooking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Comments
  1. Lorna September 5, 2013 at 3:04 pm - Reply

    Oh Silvia. You actually put me in the mood for cooler weather. I usually fight it tooth and nail, but thinking about this meal really made me crave a sweater. And you are so right–I think of back to school as the true new year. Thanks for another fabulous dinner idea.

    • chefsilvia September 6, 2013 at 3:01 pm - Reply

      lorna, What a wonderful comment – to crave a sweater. Love that. Thank you.

  2. Rebecca Cherry September 5, 2013 at 5:55 pm - Reply

    I can smell it from here! And, it looks delizioso too. I’m going to share your recipe with my son, Gianni – and he can make it next time he wants a steak! Keep it comin’ and keep cookin’ up these yummy dishes to share with us!

    • chefsilvia September 6, 2013 at 3:03 pm - Reply

      Rebecca, If you can smell it then I do think my photos are getting better. So glad for letting me know you’re loving these dishes.

  3. Melissa Burkheimer September 6, 2013 at 2:37 am - Reply

    OMG I can’t wait to try your homemade fries! I’ve been looking for a recipe. Thanks so much Silvia!

    • chefsilvia September 6, 2013 at 3:05 pm - Reply

      Melissa. It’s funny how some of the simplest things are the hardest to get right. Fries are one of them which is why I linked to a very well explained post. Let me know how they turn out.

  4. Lacy September 6, 2013 at 7:34 pm - Reply

    Sounds delish! Steak frites is one of my favorites.

  5. Holly September 7, 2013 at 12:04 am - Reply

    That literally made my mouth water. I can’t wait to try it.

  6. Aimelie Ronquillo September 7, 2013 at 2:05 am - Reply

    Oh my gosh, that looks sooo freaking good!! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!! This is definitely on my list of recipes to try!! :-)

  7. marsha September 7, 2013 at 5:33 am - Reply

    You’re SO right that “the day after Labor Day should be considered the first of the year because that’s how it feels”!!! Let’s start campaigning for this! :)

    This looks DELICIOUS too and, like Lorna says, makes me excited for winter!

  8. Nathalie September 7, 2013 at 7:02 am - Reply

    Silvia! You really made my day :-). You know, I’m a vegetarian so I’m actually never looking for recipes including meat for myself but I’ll have some special guests over soon who really appreciate a good steak so this is just PERFECT for them. And I LOVE the vegetarian recipes you have on your site. Thank you!

  9. Elise Museles September 9, 2013 at 4:17 pm - Reply

    Silvia! I love how you give permission to eat comfort foods. I am a big believer in allowing yourself “treats” as part of a healthy diet. It helps make it a lifestyle that is both sustainable & enjoyable…The homemade french fries sound particularly delicious, and I think I would add in sweet potatoes to the mix. Thank you, as usual, for being a source of inspiration!

  10. Desiree East September 9, 2013 at 5:24 pm - Reply

    YUM…how funny, I wish I had seen this recipe last night!! It looks delish. It was my husband’s birthday, and I made a little surf n turf dinner for him…crab legs, steak, asparagus, and rice. I used LOTS of garlic – my house smells like garlic this morning!! LOL.

  11. Sonja Keller September 10, 2013 at 8:53 am - Reply

    Mmmm comfort food……ok, off to throw a couple of shrimp on the barbie :) – Seriously, those chips made my mouth water :)

  12. Hoyt Talyor February 23, 2023 at 12:20 pm - Reply

    That is a good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise info… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!

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