I love the classic Italian dish of grilled steak over arugula with shaved parmesan.  This is my version of this.  I wanted a kind of Caesar’s dressing for this salad, hence the salted anchovies.  For those of you who haven’t tried them I highly recommend salted anchovies as a staple in your kitchen.  Whole Foods and Berkeley Bowl sell them in small containers which will last forever in your fridge.  It’s a far more complex flavor than canned anchovies.  First soak the anchovies in water (some folks use milk) to soften them.  Discard the soaking water and fillet the anchovy.  This is very simple, you can easily pull the meat off the bone.  You may be tempted, but don’t throw the whole salted anchovy into your blender you will end up with little gritty bits no matter how long you process it.  And speaking of salted things, salted capers are another fabulous ingredient.  A little harder to find, but buy some when you see them.  Luckily for me my friend Kim (How to Love This World) buys some for me when she goes to Italy.

Grilled Steak  Salad with Celery and Arugula

1 pound thin cut steak

Olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1 bag arugula

2 celery stalks, thinly sliced

¼ C Italian parsley leaves

1 small wedge parmesan cheese

Dressing

½ C olive oil

1 t Dijon mustard

1 clove garlic

1 salt cured anchovy fillet soaked in water for 5 minutes (longer is ok), filet removed, bones discarded.

Juice from half a lemon

2-3 dashes Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

Brush the steak with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Get a cast iron skillet piping hot over a high flame and sear the steak on each side, about 3 minutes a side.  Place the stead aside to rest while finishing the salad.

Combine the arugula, celery, and parsley in a large bowl.  To make the dressing combine all the dressing ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth.  Season the greens with dressing.  Slice the steak into thin slices and toss with the salad.  Place the salad in the serving dish and top with a  generous amount of shaved parmesan.

Serves 4