
Seared Steak with Pancetta and Blackberry Vinegar
Ingredients
2 x 250g (9oz) Bavette beef steaks
6 tablespoons blackberry vinegar, see recipe below
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Dressing (Blackberry Vinegar)
2 tablespoons blackberry vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon runny honey
Salad
1 green or red tipped chicory, leaves separated
100g mixed red chard, lambs lettuce and pea shoots
100g radishes, trimmed, thinly sliced
50g field fare frozen blackberries
Rashers sliced smoked pancetta
4 teaspoons olive oil
1. Add the steaks to a large shallow plastic box, china or glass dish, then spoon over the blackberry vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid or clingfilm and chill overnight.
2. To make the dressing, add the blackberry vinegar, oil, honey and a little salt and pepper to a jam jar, screw on the lid and shake together well, then decant to a small jug.
3. Add the chicory, salad leaves and sliced radishes to a large shallow salad dish and sprinkle over the blackberries.
4. Preheat a ridged frying pan, if you have one, or an ordinary one if not. Add the pancetta and cook over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes turning the rashers once, until the fat is golden. Lift out of the pan, then reserve.
5. Drain the steaks and rub with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Fry over a high heat for 3-4 minutes, turning once for rare or 4-6 minutes for medium. Take out of the pan and leave to stand for 4-5 minutes, then thinly sliced. Halve the pancetta slices, then add the steak and pancetta to the salad. Drizzle over the dressing and serve immediately with warm ciabatta bread.
Blackberry vinegar
Roughly crush 225g (8oz) blackberries in a bowl with a vegetable masher. Transfer to a large jam jar and pour on a 350ml (12 fl oz) bottle Cabernet Sauvignon red wine vinegar. Mix well then screw the lid on tightly. Leave at room temperature for 2 days, shaking the jar once or twice a day, then strain into a bottle and store in the fridge. Use within 3-4 weeks.
Cook’s tip
You might also like to add a splash of blackberry vinegar to the gravy for roast lamb, pork or roast pheasant.
If you can’t find bavette steak in your local supermarket check on line or use sirloin steak instead and trim off the fat after cooking.
Many thanks to www.seasonalberries.co.uk for this recipe.