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Drunken Steak

Source of Recipe

From "BBQ USA" by Steven Raichlen


Recipe Introduction

"Since the earliest days of our nation, beef and bourbon have been keeping one another company. There's something about the sweetness of sipping whiskey that enhances the rich, meaty flavor of beef. Especially when that beef is a uniquely American preparation: London broil. (No, despite its name, it doesn't come from England.) The idea for this recipe comes to me from one David Ashmore of Dallas, Texas. He came to see me at a book signing one evening, eager to share his prized family recipe. David learned it from his grandfather, a meat-and-potatoes guy from Iowa, who used to work for Heinz. I'd keep the accompaniments pretty simple here. Perhaps some grilled asparagus and barbecued potatoes."

List of Ingredients

For the marinade:
â—¦ 1 cup bourbon
â—¦ 1 cup soy sauce (preferably Kikkoman)
â—¦ 3 tablespoons Asian (dark) sesame oil
â—¦ 2 tablespoons sugar
â—¦ 2 cloves garlic, minced
â—¦ 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger

For the steak:
â—¦ 1 beefsteak (1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches thick and 1 ¾ to 2 pounds), cut from the top or bottom round
â—¦ Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper
â—¦ 1 tablespoon cold salted butter

You'll also need:
â—¦ 1 cup wood chips or chunks (preferably oak or hickory), soaked for 1 hour in water to cover, then drained


Recipe

Make the marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine the bourbon, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, garlic, and ginger. Whisk until the sugar dissolves. Place the steak in a roasting pan just large enough to hold it. Pour the marinade over it, turning the steak once or twice to coat it evenly with the marinade. Let the steak marinate for 4 hours in the refrigerator, covered, turning it once more.

Set up the grill for direct grilling using a two-zone fire. If using a gas grill, place all of the wood chips or chunks in the smoker box or in a smoker pouch and run the grill on high until you see smoke, then lower one burner to medium. If using a charcoal grill, preheat one zone to high and the other to medium, then toss all of the wood chips or chunks on the coals.

When ready to cook, brush and oil the grill grate. Drain the marinade off the steak and discard the marinade. Place the steak on the hot grate and grill until cooked to taste, 6 to 8 minutes per side for medium-rare. Start by searing the steak over the hot zone for about 2 minutes, then move it over the medium zone. Repeat on the other side. To test for doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer in the side of the beef: The internal temperature should be 140° to 145° F for medium-rare. Generously season the steak with salt and pepper as it cooks.

Transfer the grilled steak to a cutting board. Stick the piece of butter on the end of a fork and rub it over the top of the beef. Let the steak rest for about 3 minutes.

Using a sharp knife, carve the beef into broad thin slices, holding the knife blade at a 45 degree angle to the top of the meat. Pour the juices over the slices and serve at once.

Serves 4






✰ Note:
Note the use of a two-zone fire here: You sear the steak over the hot zone and move it to the medium zone to finish cooking.