Buffalo Steak Salad

Sometimes a simple salad can be a beautiful, elegant, and delicious meal that's both hearty and satisfying. In the summer months, people rarely want to sweat away in the kitchen, and this dish has minimal cooking time with great results. Mixing bright summer vegetables with lean steak and nutty parmesan makes for a tasty mix of flavors that combine for the right balance that's healthy and satisfying.

The base of the salad was sauteed snow peas and fennel mixed with arugula. The sweetness of the snow peas and anise bite of the fennel balance the natural spiciness of the arugula. I sauteed the snow peas and fennel until slightly brown, so they were still crisp.

On top of the fennel, snow pea, arugula salad, I laid slices of fresh tomato and avocado for a colorful addition. I love using avocado because of its unique flavor and texture. A good ripe tomato and avocado go perfectly with any salad.

For the steak, I bought a buffalo sirloin, which is a bit leaner than beef. I rubbed it with salt, pepper, crushed red pepper and oregano and seared it in a cast iron for about 5 minutes per side until it was medium rare. I sliced it and laid it over the salad with some thin sliced parmesan.

Ingredients:
(Serves 2)
2 1/3 lb buffalo sirloin
1 ripe tomato sliced
1 avocado sliced
Arugula
Snow peas
1/2 fennel bulb
Shaved parmesan
Salt and pepper
Crushed red pepper and oregano
Olive Oil
Lemon
Red Wine Vinegar

To Cook:

1. Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a pan and sautee fennel and snow peas until starting to brown
2. Toss fennel and snow peas with arugula with olive oil, lemon, and vinegar
3. Heat cast iron until hot, add a little oil and cook the steak for 5 minutes a side
4. Lay the sliced avocado and tomato on the arugula
5. Slice the steak and lay on the salad, top with parmesan and enjoy!