Skinny Steak, Strawberries and Gorgonzola With a Dreamy Balsamic Reduction
Get ready to “wow” your family or dinner guests with this super easy-to-make exquisite meal. It looks and sounds really gourmet and yet this dinner comes together in under 30 minutes! Picture this-tender lean fillets, plump juicy strawberries, rich Gorgonzola cheese, all on top of a bed of field greens and drizzled with a strawberry balsamic reduction sauce. Each serving, 311 calories and 11 grams of fat. Serve with crusty rustic bread, if desired and you’re ready for dinner.
Why You’ll Love My Skinny Steak, Strawberries and Gorgonzola With a Dreamy Balsamic Reduction
Fans of gourmet yet healthy meals will love this Skinny Steak, Strawberries, and Gorgonzola with a Dreamy Balsamic Reduction. It offers a surprising and delightful combination of textures and flavors. The lean steak is cooked to juicy perfection, while the sweetness of the strawberries and the creaminess of the gorgonzola cheese create a beautiful contrast. The star of the show is the balsamic reduction, a rich and tangy sauce that ties everything together. It's a low-carb and impressive dish that feels like a special occasion meal without weighing you down.Ingredients for Skinny Steak, Strawberries and Gorgonzola With a Dreamy Balsamic Reduction
This recipe offers a gourmet yet healthy twist on steak night, featuring a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Here's a look at each ingredient:Protein:- 1 pound lean beef tenderloin or top sirloin, cut into 4 (4 oz) fillets: Lean cuts of beef like tenderloin or top sirloin provide a good source of protein while keeping the overall dish lower in fat. The recipe suggests cutting them into 4 equal fillets for even cooking.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Salt enhances the natural flavor of the steak.
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a touch of heat and complexity to the flavor profile.
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil: Olive oil helps sear the steak and adds a touch of healthy fat.
- 1½ cup balsamic vinegar: Balsamic vinegar is the key ingredient in creating the flavorful and tangy balsamic reduction sauce. The recipe calls for reducing it down to concentrate its sweetness and acidity.
- 3 tablespoons reduced-sugar strawberry preserves (optional): Reduced-sugar strawberry preserves are added to the balsamic reduction for a hint of sweetness and strawberry flavor. This helps to complement the fresh strawberries without adding excessive sugar.
- 1 cup fresh sliced strawberries: Fresh strawberries add a vibrant touch of sweetness and a beautiful pop of color to the dish.
- 4 tablespoons crumbled Gorgonzola cheese: Gorgonzola cheese provides a rich and creamy element that contrasts nicely with the other ingredients. Its strong flavor profile pairs well with the steak and balsamic reduction.
- 4 cups spring mix or field greens: Spring mix or field greens serve as the base of the dish, adding a layer of freshness and essential vitamins.
How to Make Skinny Steak, Strawberries and Gorgonzola With a Dreamy Balsamic Reduction
Preparing the Steak:- Season the Steaks: Pat the steak fillets dry with paper towels. Season them generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. This enhances the natural flavor of the meat.
- Heat the Pan and Sear: Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully add the steak fillets to the pan.
- Sear for Medium Doneness: Sear the steaks undisturbed for 2-3 minutes per side for a medium doneness. This will give you a nice brown crust on the outside and a juicy pink center. You can adjust the cooking time slightly depending on your preference for doneness (less time for rarer, more time for well-done).
- Rest the Steak: Once seared, transfer the steak fillets to a plate and tent them with aluminum foil. This allows the juices to redistribute for a more tender and flavorful steak.
- Reduce the Balsamic Vinegar: After removing the steak, keep the pan on medium-high heat. Add the balsamic vinegar to the pan. Using a whisk or spatula, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan as the vinegar simmers. Cook the balsamic vinegar for about 4 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by half. This concentrates the flavor and creates a thicker sauce.
- Add Sweetness (Optional): While the balsamic vinegar reduces, whisk in the reduced-sugar strawberry preserves (if using). This adds a touch of sweetness and strawberry flavor to the sauce. Stir well to dissolve the preserves completely.
- Prepare the Base: Divide the spring mix or field greens evenly among four plates, creating a bed for the steak.
- Assemble the Dish: Place a warm steak fillet on top of the spring mix on each plate.
- Add Freshness and Creaminess: Next, add a layer of sliced fresh strawberries on top of each steak. Finish it off by sprinkling crumbled Gorgonzola cheese over the strawberries on each plate.
- Drizzle with Reduction: Finally, spoon the warm balsamic reduction sauce over each serving, drizzling it over the steak, strawberries, and cheese.
Helpful Tips About this Recipe
Makes 4 servings. Each serving, 4 oz steak, sauce, cheese.
Food Facts
Balsamic vinegar is made in Italy in areas around Modena and Reggio Emilia. White Trebbiano grapes are used to produce the vinegar. It has a dark, rich, color and a sweet pungent aged taste due to the lengthy aging process. Gorgonzola is a type of Italian blue cheese and considered to be the king of all blue cheeses! It’s named after a village that is now part of Milan’s suburban area. It was first produced in the ninth century and originally aged in caves. If you can’t find Gorgonzola, use another type of blue cheese.
Healthy Benefits
Eaten in moderation, lean beef can be part of a healthy life style. Steak is a complete protein and contains vitamin B12, iron, niacin and zinc. Strawberries are super low in calories, sodium and contain no fat. They’re a great source of vitamin A, C and fiber. Vinegar has been valued for it’s healing properties for thousands of years. Some feel it aids in digestion and can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Shopping Tips
Choose lean beef such as tenderloin or top sirloin. Trader Joe’s sells packages of very lean steak. I love the organic reduced-sugar strawberry preserves at Trader Joe’s or use your favorite brand.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 6-Blue
WW SmartPoints 8-Green
WW POINTS PLUS 8
Food Facts
Balsamic vinegar is made in Italy in areas around Modena and Reggio Emilia. White Trebbiano grapes are used to produce the vinegar. It has a dark, rich, color and a sweet pungent aged taste due to the lengthy aging process. Gorgonzola is a type of Italian blue cheese and considered to be the king of all blue cheeses! It’s named after a village that is now part of Milan’s suburban area. It was first produced in the ninth century and originally aged in caves. If you can’t find Gorgonzola, use another type of blue cheese.
Healthy Benefits
Eaten in moderation, lean beef can be part of a healthy life style. Steak is a complete protein and contains vitamin B12, iron, niacin and zinc. Strawberries are super low in calories, sodium and contain no fat. They’re a great source of vitamin A, C and fiber. Vinegar has been valued for it’s healing properties for thousands of years. Some feel it aids in digestion and can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Shopping Tips
Choose lean beef such as tenderloin or top sirloin. Trader Joe’s sells packages of very lean steak. I love the organic reduced-sugar strawberry preserves at Trader Joe’s or use your favorite brand.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 6-Blue
WW SmartPoints 8-Green
WW POINTS PLUS 8
SKINNY FACTS: for 1 serving (4 oz. steak, sauce, cheese) 311 calories, 11g fat, 4g sat. fat, 56mg chol, 28g protein, 22g carbs, 2g fiber, 468mg sodium, 7g sugar |
FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints 243 calories, 4g sat. fat, 27g protein, 5g sugar |
Skinny Steak, Strawberries and Gorgonzola With a Dreamy Balsamic Reduction
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean beef tenderloin or top sirloin cut into 4 (4 oz) fillets
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons reduced-sugar strawberry preserves, see shopping tips
- 1 cup fresh sliced strawberries
- 4 tablespoons crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, see food facts
- 4 cups spring mix or field greens
Instructions
- Season fillets with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add fillets and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side for medium. Remove from pan and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Add balsamic vinegar to pan and cook until liquid is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Whisk in strawberry preserves and stir to dissolve.
- To serve: line each plate with 1 cup spring mix. Place warm steak on top of each. Next, add sliced strawberries and crumbled cheese. Drizzle the balsamic sauce over the top of each. Serve at once.
Nutrition
Serving: 4ouncesCalories: 311kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 28gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 468mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gBlue Smart Points: 6Green Smart Points: 8Plus Points: 8
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