Steak Florentine

Slight change of plans on the menu this week.  Had this idea driving home yesterday!

1 large (enough to feed everyone) Sirloin, T-Bone or other lean steak
Canola (or other flavorless oil that handles high heat - not olive) Oil

Heat oven to 400 degrees

Meanwhile (back at the ranch...)

Heat an oven proof pan (cast iron is fantastic for this) over high/med-high heat until the oil is shimmering.  Season your steak(s) with salt & pepper and sear the first side of the steak (just a minute or two) as soon as it's caramelizing and pulls free from the pan, flip it over and pop the whole thing in the oven.  Insert a meat thermometer and cook it until it reaches the desired temp.  About 145 should be fairly rare.  This is a flavorful steak but not very tender so don't try this if you like your meat anything more than med-rare. 

While the steak is in the oven (should take about 10-15 min), slice up 2-3 mushrooms, smash a couple of cloves of garlic and open a bag of spinach.  Have them handy next to your stove and then get started on the Tuscan beans.

Tuscan White Beans:
In a medium saucepan, saute a clove of minced garlic in olive oil then add 2 cans of drained cannelini and a can of diced tomatoes (don't drain the tomatoes - and the flavored ones are good).  Simmer until the steak comes out of the oven.  Add a pinch each of thyme & oregano or Italian Seasoning.

When the steak is done, set it on a board to rest for 5 min and then thinly slice.  While the steak is resting, put the hot pan back on the stove over med-high heat and toss the mushrooms into the accumulated juices in the pan and cook for 1 min then add the garlic for one more minute and then toss in the spinach and toss until it's all wilted and covered in yummy steak juice.

Serve the beans in a small bowl for each person, plate the spinach/mushrooms and the slices of steak (pour any extra steak juice over the meat - YUM!).

A nice Chianti or other Italian red table wine would be fantastic with this meal. 

With a little thinking ahead, this whole meal can be on the table in about 20-30 minutes.