Top 5 Favorites of 2009….#1 Harissa Steak Sandwich
Posted by Aggies Kitchen on December 31st, 2009. Filed under: Beef/Steak, Main Dishes - Beef, Sandwiches.
Not sure what I loved more about this sandwich…how unbelievably delicious it was or that I didn’t have to cook it! 
If you remember this post, my sweet non-cooking husband had the urge to make something and blog about it. After watching Next Food Network Star with me one night he picked this recipe from the runner up Jeffrey Saad. I must admit, I was pretty impressed by my hubby’s ambition and the outcome of it all. If you can get your hands on some harissa (which we found at a local butcher/gourmet shop) please make this sandwich. Make it exactly as it’s shown…the yellow tomatoes, the cuban bread…the harissa mayo. It’s heavenly. So heavenly that we decided it will be our last meal of 2009. That’s right…Larry is going back into the kitchen for an encore, and I am thrilled!
Happy New Year to all of you! Wishing everyone Love and Laughter in 2010!
See you next week with lots of new healthy recipes to kick of the New Year!
Harissa Steak Sandwich
Recipe courtesy of Jeffrey Saad
1 10-12 oz. New York strip steak or steak of your choice
3 Tb Harissa (Can buy it in the tube at many grocery stores or on line at www.kalustyans.com or www.surfas.com )
Salt and pepper
1 Tb olive oil
1/2 C. mayo
1/4 C fresh chopped mint
1/4 C chopped sun-dried tomatoes
2 cloves of garlic chopped
Pinch of salt
Sandwich rolls or bread of your choice
1 yellow tomato or tomato of your choice
2 C arugula leaves (watercress is good as well, spinach if you want less spice)
Heat up your grill, grill pan or sauté pan to medium high.
Season the steak with salt and pepper. Rub 1 Tb of the harissa on each side of the steak.
Wipe down grill with a little oil. Place steak on grill and cook for about 3 minutes. Flip. Cook 3 more minutes (this will yield MR depending on the thickness of the steak. Adjust for your taste and for the size of the steak).
While the steak is cooking place the mayo in a medium size bowl.
In a small sauté pan over med heat add the olive oil. Once hot add the mint and garlic. Cook for 30 seconds just until you smell the perfume of the garlic and mint. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Turn the heat off and stir. Stir mixture into the mayo. The warm mixture will immediately permeate the mayo with flavor and give it a beautiful color. Stir the remaining 1 Tb of Harissa into the mayo.
Grill the bread if you like. Spread mayo on both sides of the bread.
Slice the steak and lay across the bread.
Top with sliced tomato and arugula.
Enjoy!!
Makes 2-4 tasty sandwiches depending on how much meat you like!
Notes to insure tastiness!!
*New York, Rib eye or Filet mignon will be a treat and will be very tender. The thicker the steak the better because you can get a nice crust on the steak and still have a MR, juicy center. A thin steak will often over cook by the time you get a crust. You can use a less expensive cut that will also be flavorful but I would recommend cutting it thin before grilling so it is more tender. The key is to not overcook the meat or you will lose the juiciness and tenderness. Also, make sure to let the steak sit for ten minutes before slicing to allow the juices to re-absorb. They will then absorb into your bread instead of being left on the cutting board.
*Don’t let the mint and garlic turn brown unless you like the more toasted flavor. I like to preserve the delicate perfume of the mint and garlic which then permeates the mayo and creates a fresh, bright balance to the deep, spicy richness of the harissa.
*Make sure your grill, grill pan or sauté pan is hot and oiled before you place the meat down or the moisture of the harissa will make the steak stick.
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December 31st, 2009 at 11:12 am
What a great top 5 list! Have a great New Year!
December 31st, 2009 at 12:02 pm
awesome top 5 list! that steak sandwich looks so mouthwatering delicious!
December 31st, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I had to Google harissa. Sounds and looks delicious! Happy New Year!
December 31st, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Why is it that food just seems to taste so much better when someone else makes it? If your husband made it that makes it even more special. If the kids make it then kudos to that too. See you in 2010. Have a safe and foodie-filled New Year Aggie.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:53 am
I remember this awesome sandwich, Aggie! It looks sooo good! Gonna have to make it this summer! Happy 2010 to you and your family! I am happy to have met you through blogging this year!
January 1st, 2010 at 5:55 pm
My husband was also intrigued by this recipe. He would have loved to be a dinner guest at your house.
Happy New Years!
January 2nd, 2010 at 4:22 pm
All of your Top 5′s look absolutely yummy! Congrats on the recent weight loss- that’s wonderful!!
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
I have to remember to try this since it’s on the top 5 list!
January 3rd, 2010 at 7:44 pm
after the holiday i had, i’m looking forward to some good healthy recipes! this sandwich looks awesome, happy new year!
January 3rd, 2010 at 10:52 pm
I loved your Top 5 list Aggie even though you provided so many great recipes in 2009. Looking forward to what you cook up in 2010.
January 4th, 2010 at 1:38 am
This sandwich sounds absolutely mouthwatering. Great photos too. I have a really hard time photographing meat dishes.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
I really enjoyed reading your blog this year and look forward to keeping up with all of your recipes in 2010. Happy New Year!
January 4th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
I remember this sandwich, but #1?? Wow! I’ll bookmark it. I used harissa only once, but we really enjoyed the flavor, and I’ll trust you and Larry that this is a winner. Literally.
Happy New Year my dear!
January 6th, 2010 at 8:51 am
I remember when you posted this sandwich. It looks so yummy! If this is your very favorite then it is a must try!
January 6th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Hi, that looks super delish and I love stopping by your site, stop by mine–I gave you an award! anne
January 10th, 2010 at 2:21 am
Hey Aggie! You moved! Love the pictures of your kids. Way too cute. Happy new years.
DZ♥
January 11th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
I went looking for harissa for some other recipe and couldn’t locate it anywhere! This sandwich does look great and I think it is even more appealing because your hubby made it for you!
January 13th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Wow! Harissa has a such good taste! This sandwich looks yummilicious!
January 15th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Aggie – I love this recipe most of all!! I’ll have to look for that spice at my ethnic grocery store – your kids are getting so big!
Happy New Year and hope all is well!
January 15th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
I saw that episode too but forgot all about that yummy sandwich. I’ve never used harissa but need to go find some now. Looks so good!
February 1st, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Just a quick note to tell you that your blog is one of top three favorites. All of your recipes are so appealing, your pictures are great and I can find what I need easily. Congratulations on your efforts. There are so many great blogs, but yours is one of the very best.
My two other favorites are Closet Cooking and Pioneer Woman.
I also love Simply Recipes but so many of Elise’s recipes are fairly traditional, but yours are often unique in some way. YUM!
You Go Girl!
from Boulder Creek CA
April 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
lolol where is a light beer whenever you want one