Finding Balance with Garlic and Five-Spice

This recipe for Garlic and Five-Spice Strip Steak hits all the right notes in perfect harmony: a little salty from soy sauce, a little sweet from brown sugar, and a little spice in the marinade complements the big, beefy umami-rich steak.

It was relatively late in my life before I discovered the magic of Asian flavors. But now, hardly a week goes by before I’m craving a little cardboard box of heaven from my favorite Chinese take-out. I think the secret is the complexity and balance of all the flavors in a perfectly satisfying dish: sweet and sour, of course, but also salty, bitter and savory (aka umami). Following that basic formula, the combinations are virtually endless, and just as tasty.

As convenient — and delicious — as take-out can be, I still love to cook. And grilling is just about as fast.

• Start by mixing together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced fresh garlic, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, black pepper — and the “secret” ingredient: Chinese five-spice powder. This flavorful blend is available at most large grocery stores and contains ground star anise, ginger, cinnamon, fennel and pepper. It’ll give the marinade a flavor you recognize, but probably couldn’t identify.
• Place your steaks in a zippered plastic bag, then pour in the marinade. Seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or as long as overnight. (Since it’s not an acidic marinade, there’s no risk of over-tenderizing your steaks.)
• When it’s time to grill, remove your steaks from the marinade and pat them dry. Cook them to your desired doneness (be sure to use an instant-read thermometer for the best results) and allow them to rest a few minutes before serving.

I served mine with rice noodles cooked in a blend of soy sauce and sesame oil, with grilled onions. Stir-fried veggies like pea pods, red peppers, mushrooms, onions or bok choy would be delicious too! You can even cook them in a cast-iron skillet right on your grill.

Looking to find balance at your dinner table? Try this delicious Asian-inspired recipe today! Visit CertifiedAngusBeef.com for more recipes and ideas.