Microgreens, when paired with steak, can provide a refreshing and vibrant element to the dish. Whether used in a salad, as a garnish, or incorporated into a flavorful chimichurri sauce, microgreens offer a boost of freshness and visual appeal. Their delicate textures and subtle flavors create a delightful contrast to the rich and savory nature of the steak, elevating the overall dining experience.
What You'll Learn
What are Microgreens?
You’ve probably heard of microgreens, but have you ever tried them? Microgreens are tiny, edible greens that are harvested just after the seedlings reach their first true leaves. They generally measure between 1-2 inches in length and come in a variety of colors and flavors.
The most common types of microgreens include broccoli, cabbage, kale, radish, arugula, basil, cilantro, and spinach. These tasty greens can be grown both indoors or outdoors, depending on the climate and plants being used. Typically grown in greenhouses or soil beds using organic methods, microgreens require very little space to grow compared to traditional vegetables.
Different soil types can also be used as long as they are well-draining with plenty of nutrients available for the plants to thrive. With careful planning and attention to detail during the growing process, these tiny greens can produce a nice yield with a high nutrient content. Microgreens make excellent additions to salads for texture and flavor.
They can also be served as garnishes on top of soups or sandwiches for added color and nutrition. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even try making a chimichurri sauce using microgreens as one of your main ingredients! The possibilities are endless when it comes to adding these flavorful little veggies into your meals!
Adding microgreens into your diet is beneficial not only because they taste great but because they provide an array of vitamins and minerals that may otherwise be lacking from your regular meals. So why not give them a try today? You won’t regret it!
Benefits of Adding Microgreens to Dishes
Adding microgreens to dishes can bring a multitude of benefits, such as adding color and flavor as well as a nutritional boost. They’re incredibly versatile; you can use them in salads, sandwiches, or even as garnishes for main courses. Here are some of the advantages of using microgreens in your dishes:
- An abundance of sourcing options – Microgreens can be grown indoors or outdoors with ease, so they’re widely available from local farms and farmers’ markets, grocery stores, and even online retailers.
- Rich in nutrients – Microgreens tend to have more concentrated levels of vitamins C and E than their mature counterparts, making them an excellent source of nutrition.
- Health benefits – Studies have shown that consuming microgreens may reduce inflammation and increase antioxidant activity in the body, which is beneficial for overall health.
In addition to their many nutritional qualities, microgreens also add vibrant colors and unique flavors to dishes that regular greens just can’t match. For example, when pairing steak with microgreens in a salad or using them as a garnish on top of the steak with chimichurri sauce, you’ll create an unforgettable culinary experience!
Steak and Microgreens Salad
Try pairing your next steak dish with microgreens for a nutrient-packed salad that’s sure to impress. Studies have shown that microgreens can contain up to 10 times more vitamins and minerals than mature greens!
To make this delicious, healthy salad, first start by grilling your steak. You can use any cut of steak you prefer, but ribeye or flank are particularly good choices. Once the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, set it aside and let it rest.
Then, heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the sautéed microgreens and cook until they just begin to wilt. The cooking time will depend on the type of microgreen used – for example, arugula will take only a minute or two while kale may take closer to five minutes.
Once the greens are cooked through, remove them from the heat and season with salt and pepper as desired. Slice up your cooked steak into thin strips and add it back into the pan with the greens for one final toss before serving. Serve warm with extra fresh lemon juice squeezed over top for an added zing of flavor.
This Steak and Microgreens Salad pairs perfectly with baked potato wedges or roasted vegetables like carrots or Brussels sprouts for a complete meal that looks as good as it tastes!
To switch things up even further, try adding some avocado slices or feta cheese crumbles on top of this salad for added protein and texture. Both taste great when paired with grilled steak! For an extra kick of flavor, consider making a chimichurri sauce using minced garlic, parsley leaves, red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes to drizzle overtop at the end. This flavorful condiment adds amazing depth of flavor without overpowering any other flavors in this dish!
Finally, garnishing your salad with fresh herbs such as basil or cilantro adds an herbal aroma that complements all these savory ingredients perfectly.
Microgreens as a Garnish
Give your meal an extra pop of flavor and nutrition by garnishing with microgreens! Microgreens are a type of young vegetable, harvested when they’re just days old. They contain higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and sometimes antioxidant compounds than their mature counterparts. Plus, they’re packed with flavor!
Try them as a garnish for steak dishes to give them an extra boost of freshness and color. There are lots of cooking techniques you can use when adding microgreens to your steak dish. For example, try sautéing them in melted butter or oil for a few minutes before adding them to the plate. If you want something faster, simply sprinkle the raw microgreens onto the steak right before serving – this will give it even more crunchy texture along with vibrant colors.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try combining different flavors using microgreens as a garnish. For instance, if you have cooked steak with mushrooms in a savory sauce, top it off with some spicy radish sprouts or nutty-tasting sunflower shoots to bring out each ingredient’s unique flavors even more. Alternatively, pair sweet-tasting pea shoots or mustard greens with grilled steak for an unexpected twist on classic combinations.
No matter which combination you choose, make sure that the microgreen garnish adds both visual appeal and enhances the flavor profile – not just as an afterthought but as part of your carefully crafted dish! With a little experimentation in cooking techniques and flavor combinations, you can transform any ordinary meal into something special – all thanks to those tiny but mighty microgreens!
Chimichurri Sauce
Forget the steak and microgreens — go straight for the chimichurri sauce for a truly unforgettable flavor experience!
Chimichurri is an Argentinean herb-infused sauce, traditionally made with parsley, oregano, garlic, and olive oil. It is usually served on grilled meats like steak but can also be used to enhance a salad or as an accompaniment to vegetables.
Here are four ways you can make it even more delicious:
- Add some acidity – try adding a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to brighten up the flavors of the herbs.
- Play around with different herbs – get creative by adding other fresh herbs such as basil or cilantro into the mix.
- Experiment with different oils – use flavorful oils like avocado or walnut instead of olive oil to change up the texture of your chimichurri sauce.
- Incorporate spices – add some heat with red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or cumin for extra depth of flavor in your sauce.
Tying all these elements together will give you a flavorful and unique chimichurri that pairs perfectly with steak and microgreens in salads, as a garnish, or simply drizzled over them for added flavor complexity!
Tips for Cooking with Microgreens
Now that you know how to make a delicious chimichurri sauce that pairs perfectly with steak and microgreens, it’s time to learn some tips for cooking with them.
Microgreens can be used in salads, as garnishes, or even stirred into sauces like chimichurri. With the right cooking techniques and flavor combinations, you can create dishes that are both tasty and healthy!
When using microgreens in salads or as a garnish, look for ones that have vibrant colors. These will provide an attractive presentation and add texture to your dish. To get the most out of their flavor, lightly sauté them in olive oil before adding them to the salad. This will bring out their subtle earthy flavors without overpowering the other ingredients.
You can also experiment by combining different types of microgreens to create unique flavor combinations. For example, use a mix of pea shoots and radish sprouts for a peppery taste or combine amaranth leaves with basil for an herbal punch. Not only do these blends look beautiful on top of dishes but they also add a variety of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds!
If you want something heartier than a salad or garnish, try stirring microgreens into sauces like chimichurri. The extra vegetables give the sauce more depth while still keeping its signature tanginess intact. Plus, it adds another layer of color and texture – making it look as good as it tastes!
So, get creative in the kitchen and don’t forget to include microgreens when looking for ways to spruce up your meals!
