I originally posted this dish almost 6 years ago; so long ago that I had actually forgotten it was buried in the archives. It was a post celebrating my 15th year of putting recipes online, yikes! Not only posted a long time ago but not made since then either and that is just wrong. While working diligently to organize and clean up a lot of older posts, I discovered this one for Steak Salad with Mashed Potatoes, Pesto and Gorgonzola Cheese and was reminded of how amazing it was. Of course the photos were horrid and that was a great excuse to make it again. Maybe it goes against the grain of all things sacred for a Super Bowl Party but it's what I offered my guests this past weekend and it sure made things simple. No finger foods here, just this 'Bisteca ala Panzano's' with my favorite margaritas and this FANTASTIC French Silk Pie with a bit of tequila and a hint of cayenne. Don't scoff at that; make it. Then come back and tell me it isn't one of the best pies you've ever had!
That first cookbook was spiral bound and I've actually had to replace it from so much use but the later versions are beautifully bound and photographed and Colorado Classique is no exception. Great photos abound along with a superb collection of recipes from hundreds of home cooks and 25 of the finest restaurants and hotels in Colorado. This recipe was provided to the authors of the book by Panzano's Restaurant in Denver and carried the moniker of Bisteca ala Panzano's. I checked and it's no longer on the menu so I decided to name it something that more people might identify with but either way; it is so good I promise there won't be another 8 year wait!
I used my cast iron skillet to make this because my outside grill is still covered with snow. Truth is sometimes I simply prefer working inside. I will grill in the cold but can't really say I love it and once I realized that my large cast iron skillet would serve me better if I just left it on the stovetop, I use it almost every day. It does a fantastic job of creating a great crust on the outside of steak; so much so I wonder sometimes if I don't prefer that to the outdoor appliance especially when said appliancee requires dressing for 20 degree weather!
So while I made this entire recipe from scratch the first time, yesterday I did something to make it easy on me. I spied a little container of pesto my neighbor Amy had given me from a huge jar she had bought at Costco so there was no homemade pesto to be made. It was so good and beyond easy and I think a jar of that pesto is in my future. After that it was just a question of grilling the meat, making some simple mashed potatoes (really want to make it fast? Costco has packaged mashed potatoes too!) and then layering the components. So easy and so good and best of all? My guests reaction to this decidedly not football game food; they announced they are so over finger foods and LOVED this way more. Perfect for Sunday suppers sure, but a really pretty presentation might also make this the dish you need to make someone for Valentine's Day. I promise, they will love you forever.
