Grill/Barbecue

Open Face Steak Sandwich with Red Onion Jam and Blue Cheese

July 18, 2011
4
1 Ratings
  • Serves 2
Author Notes

One of the many reasons steak is well loved I think, is it's versatility. It goes with so many wonderful flavor combinations. This time of year, when cherries are abundant at the markets, I make Red Onion Jam with them and pair them with steak, a salad, and a little blue cheese. Everything can be made ahead and just assembled for dinner. —TheWimpyVegetarian

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Red Onion Jam
  • 2 medium red onions, halved and thinly sliced lengthwise
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/8 cup (1 ounce) granulated sugar
  • 1/8 cup (1 ounce) brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup (about 12) fresh, sweet, ripe cherries, pitted
  • 1/3 cup red wine (Pinot Noir and Zinfandel work well)
  • 1 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 3/4 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • Steak Sandwich
  • 2 slices of Na'an bread
  • 2 cups arugula, washed and dried - enough for 2 sandwiches
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 pound flank steak
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • crumbled blue cheese
Directions
  1. Red Onion Jam
  2. Melt the butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the red onion and toss to coat. Once the onion begins to soften and melt into the saute pan, add the sugars, salt and pepper. Toss well again and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for approximately 30 minutes, turning the onions occasionally. By then the onions should begin to caramelize. If not, cook longer. Tip: the more the onions are tossed around in the saute pan, the slower they will caramelize. I toss mine around about every 5 minutes.
  3. When they begin to caramelize, add the wine, sherry wine vinegar and cherries. Continue to cook on medium-low heat another 15 minutes until the cherries are very soft, the liquid is absorbed / cooked off, and the onions are caramelized.
  4. Remove from the heat and toss in the fresh thyme leaves. Let cool to room temperature.
  1. Steak Sandwich
  2. Salt both sides of the flank steak and bring to room temperature, about 30 - 45 minutes. Using a paper towel, dab any moisture off the steak surfaces.
  3. Combine the brown sugar, salt, thyme, and ground peppers in a small bowl. Rub on the dry steak surfaces. Heat up the grill. Grill the steak over direct heat about 4 minutes per side for medium rare.
  4. Toast the Na'an bread on the grill. Toss the arugula in the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Set aside.
  5. Assemble your sandwiches: Spread a good thickness of the red onion jam on the toasted bread. Place the arugula on top. Sprinkle a some blue cheese on a cutting board and place the steak on top of it. Slice the meat against the grain. Sprinkle more blue cheese on top and layer the slices over the arugula.
  6. Pour the rest of the Pinot Noir or Zin in a couple wine glasses and relax.
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • dymnyno
    dymnyno
  • TheWimpyVegetarian
    TheWimpyVegetarian
  • Lizthechef
    Lizthechef
  • SKK
    SKK
  • nannydeb
    nannydeb

53 Reviews

dymnyno August 1, 2011
I am so glad that I have some cherries...this jam sounds fabulous and the whole package is a wonderful sandwich!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian August 2, 2011
Thanks so much, Mare!! I hope you have a chance to make it. I think you'd really like it!!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian August 1, 2011
LOL too!! Thanks so much, dear Liz!!!! I'm so glad you guys all liked it so much. Yes, I love the red onion jam. I'm next going to make it with some plums since they're everywhere these days! And I love the photo!!!
 
Lizthechef July 31, 2011
We were into the sandwiches and wine when I remembered to take a photo. Such a low point compared to this perfect steak sandwich! Larry and Jan teased me as I snapped away while they were chomping down on your terrific meal - love that red onion jam. No leftovers for the photographer :(
 
Lizthechef August 1, 2011
Not entirely sober, but here's my photo - not too bad ?
 
boulangere August 1, 2011
LOL!
 
boulangere August 1, 2011
Whatever, sounds fantastic. Bleu cheese, oh yeah!
 
Lizthechef July 28, 2011
Back from the market - making this over the weekend. Larry is jumping up and down over the prospect of red meat, yet alone some blue cheese ;)
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 28, 2011
I hope you like it, Liz!! Please let me know how it goes!! XO
 
SKK July 25, 2011
Another homerun!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 25, 2011
Thanks SKK!! I hope you have a chance to try it!!
 
SKK July 25, 2011
It is on my menu for this week-end.
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 25, 2011
GREAT! I hope you like it!!! I'd love to hear how it goes for you! It's on my menu too for some guests that are coming to spend a week with us.
 
nannydeb July 25, 2011
I made this Saturday night and thoroughly enjoyed it! Leftovers for lunch, can't wait!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 25, 2011
Wow! You've made my day. I'm so happy you tried it and that you enjoyed it so much!!! Thanks so much for letting me know!!
 
gingerroot July 21, 2011
I really love everything about this, ChezSuzanne! The dark fruit of the Pinot and cherries, contrasted with the cheese, and the steak, and the peppery arugula...YUM! My mouth is watering! I usually don't eat a ton of red meat but think I will have to make this soon!!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 21, 2011
Thanks gingerroot!! And I L-O-V-E your entry with the Asian Green Sauce. It just looks soooo good! I can't wait to make it.
 
melissav July 20, 2011
I'm on my way over for dinner. . . hope you saved one for me!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 20, 2011
Absolutely Melissa! I'll put on another batch of the Red Onion Jam just for you!
 
MyCommunalTable July 20, 2011
Blue cheese, onion jam, steak and bread...need I say more.
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 20, 2011
Thanks MCT! I hope you have a chance to try it!
 
TiggyBee July 20, 2011
My vegetarian month just went out the window. : )
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 20, 2011
I know the feeling TiggyBee! I eat very little meat these days, but totally fell off the wagon here...
 
hardlikearmour July 19, 2011
Wow, CS! That red onion jam sounds fantastic. I'm drooling at the thought of combining it with bleu cheese. I bet it would be a great crostini topping even w/o the steak. Three cheers! (one for the jam, one for the bleu cheese, and one for the steak ;)
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 20, 2011
Thanks HLA! I really appreciate it! I made some pork for my husband's dinner tonight and he finished off the red onion jam with it. So good.
 
dymnyno July 19, 2011
Gorgeous! and delicious looking. Will try making this very soon!
 
dymnyno July 19, 2011
And I meant to add: both thumbs up!!!
 
Lizthechef July 19, 2011
Want to make it together at your place?
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks Mare, really appreciate your comment AND the thumbs up!!!
 
Lizthechef July 19, 2011
Wow - you really surprised me with this one - such a winner...Thumbs up!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks Liz! I actually created this for a class I taught some time ago to feature local grass-fed beef and was looking for ways to make a tasty recipe that could be a little forgiving with lots of other good flavors in case the students over-cooked the meat.
 
nannydeb July 19, 2011
Sounds delicious! Can't wait to make it!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks nannydeb! I hope you like it and would love to hear back how it goes for you! One of the things I love about this dish is I can make it all ahead of time and then just throw it together when everyone is ready for dinner! Perfect for summertime!
 
cookinginvictoria July 19, 2011
Oh wow, this looks and sounds incredible. Love the idea of the red onion jam with wine and cherries, and nothing like blue cheese as a garnish for the steak. Saved -- will try to make this sandwich soon!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks cookinginvictoria! I hope you like it as much as we have. I'd love to hear how it goes for you!
 
lorigoldsby July 19, 2011
Na'anthing better than this...made it last night ..
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks so much lori!! So glad you like it!!
 
EmilyC July 19, 2011
Oh yum! That red onion jam looks divine!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks EmilyC - It's killer! Hope you try it!
 
Adam E. July 19, 2011
This looks like heaven!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks so much Adam E! I hope you have a chance to try it!
 
aargersi July 19, 2011
Holy COW this sounds good! I am making chutney tonight - and now I am making red onion jam too - that stuff sounds amazing! I am sure it adds a whole 'nuther layer of fabulousness to your sandwich.
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks aargersi!!The onion jam totally makes this work, but the arugula, beef and blue cheese make the sum greater than the individual pieces. I've also made this dish with skirt steak and hangar steak - to die for! Let me know how it works for you!
 
fiveandspice July 19, 2011
Yum! I'm salivating. The combination of steak with onion jam and blue cheese is perfect!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks fiveandspice!! I'll fed-ex you a platter of it!
 
Midge July 19, 2011
Sounds amazing! Really want to try your onion jam.
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks Midge! It's so easy to make, although a little time consuming during the caramelization stage - but well worth the wait. It's great with pork too and I've put it on pizzas! And I've substituted cherry balsamic vinegar for the sherry vinegar with great success too. I've also used it as appetizer bites without the meat. Have fun with it - hope you try it!
 
Fairmount_market July 19, 2011
I love all the layers of flavors.
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks Fairmount_market! Each layer adds it's own voice, but they all go together really well. If you want a bit more spice, feel free to amp up the ground chipotle pepper. I've made the rub with twice as much chipotle powder, which I find to be a nice spicy foil for the red onion jam, but not everyone likes things that spicy.
 
Sagegreen July 18, 2011
This looks incredibly perfect for summer. Love your use of cherries and pinot here! Amazing.
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks Sagegreen! I thought of you when I was putting this together, thinking these flavors were right up your alley. I love working with all this wonderful stone fruit at the markets. I'm thinking plums might work nicely too!
 
lapadia July 18, 2011
Yum, ChezSuzanne...onion jam and blue cheese; beautiful presentation, love the flat bread, too!!!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 19, 2011
Thanks so much Linda!! I love flat bread too - this would probably be even better with home baked na'an, but time wasn't going to permit that...:-) Thank God for grocery stores.