Grilled Steak Salad with spiced pecans, shaved gruyere and drizzled balsamic

Yup, I titled this salad the best steak salad EVER! It's a bold statement deserving of a delicious salad. Originally I had this salad at one of my favorite restaurants in Hoboken called Elysian, a French/American bistro where EVERYTHING on the menu is good. I have not had one bad meal there ever, and I insist on trying new things each time I go. Recently I order their sirloin steak salad which was to die for. It was then I decided I must recreate this at home. Because seriously, there is nothing like a warm sliced steak over a cool green salad. I mean come on! 

What You'll Need:

Package of spring mix salad

cucumber peeled and sliced

chopped red onion (as little or as much as you like)

cherry tomatoes

shaved gruyere cheese 

(but a hard parmesan would also be nice, or you could omit the cheese completely if you're trying to be good)

spiced pecans

(there's probably a very simple way to make these from scratch, but because it's a weeknight and I'm tired, I just bought a package in the produce section found near the salad stuff)

flank or skirt steak 

homemade balsamic dressing:

equal parts balsamic vinegar and olive oil, a little water, and Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb seasoning. Mix together in a cruet and chill.

To make, begin marinating your steak. If you have the time, do it over night. If not, brush the marinade on. I use a simple olive oil, salt, black pepper and minced garlic. While the meat is marinating, this is a good time to make the salad dressing if you don't already have some made. Grill steak to your liking. I like mine medium, so that's about 2-3 minutes per side. Let the meat rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. During this time plate your salad. Place the the delicious steak on top. Grate fresh cheese on top of everything, salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle for dressing on top (and you can go very light on this. I promise this salad is very flavorful.)

And there you have it people! The most delish steak salad there ever was! Perfect for a summer night paired with some fresh crusty French bread and a glass of red or white. Dining al fresco of course :)

xo Steph