When I think of comfort foods, my mind usually drifts towards creamy, warm foods: mac ‘n’ cheese, tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, pot roast. But one of the most comforting meals I’ve ever had was on a rainy night when I was in college, and involved, of all things, steak.
I had been through a rough week; final exams, a hectic work schedule, and had just broken up with my boyfriend. My parents, sensing that I was on the brink, invited me over for dinner and to spend the night in my old bed. I had never been so happy to go home.
I drove from my neighborhood to theirs in the pouring rain, my crappy windshield wipers in need of replacement and clouding the car into a blurry cocoon. I pulled into the driveway to the smell of the barbecue, a peculiar smell for a cold, wet December evening. Over red wine, my father’s Caesar salad and tender bites of my mother’s juicy medium-rare flank steak, I relayed the events of the week and cried my eyes out. That night, I curled up in the bed of my childhood and slept more soundly than I had in months.
My mother’s flank steak will always be a comfort food for me, and it has become a regular meal in our house. I’ll buy a pack of steaks when a good sale arises, marinate them and store in the freezer for whenever we feel like grilling. Her marinade is perfect: salty, the slightest bit sweet, chock-full of garlic and herbs, tangy with citrus. You must try it for yourself.
The ingredients are simple: soy sauce, vegetable oil (canola or olive oil work fine too), freshly ground pepper, garlic, lemon, garlic salt, and lots of fresh parsley.
Not only does the marinade tenderize the meat, but my mom doubles up and uses a meat tenderizer before placing the steak in the marinade. This insures that without a doubt, the steak will fall apart on your plate. We like the unseasoned variety, available for just a few dollars on the spice aisle.
Begin by chopping the parsley and mincing the garlic.
In a bowl stir together the soy sauce, parsley, minced garlic, garlic salt, oil, and pepper.
Squeeze in the lemon juice.
See that bracelet? Lucy got us matching ones for mother’s day. If I’m caught without it I face the wrath of a two year old.
After the meat has been tenderized, place it in a large Ziploc freezer bag and pour in the marinade. Squish it around to make sure the meat is evenly coated.
Marinate for at least 24 hours, and when you’re ready grill for 6-7 minutes per side over medium heat.
I like to throw some asparagus on the grill while I’m at it, lightly brushed with olive oil and seasoned with sea salt and pepper.
Let the steak rest under aluminum foil for 5 minutes before slicing. Eat. Savor. Repeat.
What’s your most memorable comforting meal?
xo
-RDG
Mom’s Flank Steak click here for the handy dandy printable
While you’re at it, marinate a few steaks and place in the freezer. Defrost whenever you feel like firing up the grill! Serves 3-4.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Marinade Time: at least 24 hours Cook Time: 14 minutes
- 1 flank steak (1-1 1/2 lbs)
- meat tenderizer
- 1/3 c fresh chopped parsley
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 c vegetable oil
- 1/4 c soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp. garlic salt
- several turns freshly ground pepper
1. Wet steak and sprinkle with meat tenderizer. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
2. Stir together parsley, garlic, oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic salt and pepper. Place steak and marinade in a large freezer bag. Refrigerate at least 24 hours* or up to 3 days, turning halfway through marination.
3. Preheat grill to medium. Grill steak for 6-7 minutes per side for medium-rare, longer for medium or medium-well. Let rest 5 minutes under aluminum foil before thinly slicing and serving.
*If freezing steak, let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 day first before placing in freezer.
I'm a stay-at-home-mom to two hilarious little girls in Seattle, married to one adorkable husband. When I'm not making messes in the kitchen and fishing the girls out of the toilet I'm working on my first fiction novel, due out when someone decides it's not total crap.
My favorite too! I always have a backup in the freezer. Remind me to make sure I add this to my meals list for after baby!
My comfort food is a one of a kind mom creation, pork steak and dressing. She uses ginormous pork steaks usually only 3 in the 9×13 glass pan and then makes a huge amount of her infamous dressing/stuffing and places on top. Bake away until it’s all crunchity on top. Super salty and delicious. I beg for it every time I come home from an assignment. I missed out this weekend because she’s sick, but she’s already promised me a make up meal.
Sounds oh-so-good Libby! Hope your mom feels better soon!
I loooove flank steak! My family was never big on roasting birds for holiday meals, and quite often we had flank steak instead. So good.
Lucky duck! My grandmother always insists on ham for holiday meals. Yuck. If it were up to my family and I, it would be flank or prime rib!
I just can’t get excited about holiday ham. It never tastes that much better than regular ol’ ham from the deli at the supermarket – or at least, not a big enough improvement to justify making it the centerpiece of a big meal.
This looks great! I’m totally going to make it.
My comfort foods are creamy things like ice cream, tapioca pudding, cheesy polenta, mac and cheese…you get the picture. Yea for dairy!
I totally agree, Jennifer! Cheese is king of comfort foods.
This was yummy! So glad I made one for the freezer too! Congrats on your new little one. I have four daughters and “my baby” is 19. Time goes fast! Enjoy
Glad you liked it, Marjie! 4 daughters? You’re one tough lady. I’m like a chicken with my head cut off and I only have 2!
When I think of Dinner at the Pucketts…it’s flank steak and ceaser salad that comes to mind! Your mom’s marinade has been my mom’s favorite marinade to use…which has been passed down to me and it’s the ONLY marinade I ever use for flank steak and every time ITS A HIT!!!
I love your blog! I made this yesterday but I think I did something wrong. I froze my steak and marinade after letting it sit in the fridge for a day. The steak came out a weird texture and was very salty. I’m hoping to try it again but not freeze it first. It was very tasty and my whole family loved it!
My fave comfort foods revert back to the days of being a vegetarian (reformed now of course mmmmm pork) for 18 years. My all time fave, especially when I am having a bad day is a Giambotta from Moosewood. My husband cooks a beautiful version.
Giambotta is an Italian ratatouille. It can be served hot or cold. Here’s the recipe:
Giambotta
From Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites
Serves 3-4
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium onions, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp olive oil
1 small eggplant
3 small potatoes
1 fresh fennel bulb, thinly sliced (bulb part only, not the stems and fronds) (optional)
1 red bell pepper
1 medium zucchini
3 fresh tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (1 1/2 tbs dried)
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
In a covered soup pot on low heat, sweat the garlic, onions, and salt in the oil for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent. Chop and add to the pot in the following order the eggplant, potatoes, the fennel, if using, the bell pepper, zucchini, and tomatoes. If using dried basil, sprinkle it into the pot now. Increase the heat slightly. Simmer for about 40 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the fresh basil, if using, and add salt and pepper to taste.
OMG it is so good.
Oh, Raed. This sounds AMAZING. I’ll have to try it soon. Thank you!