Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2010-$37
Chateau Pesquie Cuvee des Terrasses Red 2011-$15
Pegasus Bay Riesling 2007 - $29
Zind-Humbrecht Riesling 2011-$25
I was in Morocco where they have some wonderful local wine. The cuisine is absolutely tantalizing with the flavors coming from olives, dates, lemons, cumin, fresh free range chicken, oranges, cinnamon and a variety of spices to name a few. It is an approachable cuisine and a wonderful dinner party idea. The tapas style salads and flat breads that start a meal create a sense of a festive feast. Beans, olive oils, fresh tomatoes, caramelized onions, eggplant and greens are just the backdrop of the many wonderful recipes that start off these meals.
Wines that are fruity, honeyed, spicy, acidic and rich create a perfect fusion and balance out the exotic flavors and textures that we experience with this food. Try this recipe below with one of the recommended wine pairings. Maybe make a few small starters as well if time permits. More recipes at Food & Wine.
Hanger Steak with Charmoula
- TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 10 MIN
- SERVINGS: 4
This dish was inspired by Moroccan lamb kebabs, which are marinated in charmoula—a tangy sauce of olive oil, garlic, herbs and spices. Here, Mourad Lahlou uses the sauce for hanger steak. He salts the meat a day ahead; the simplified recipe calls for salting the steak right before cooking.
- 2 cups shelled fresh or frozen cranberry beans (12 ounces)
- 4 thyme sprigs
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 packed cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1/2 packed cup cilantro leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 pound oyster mushrooms, thickly sliced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 pounds trimmed hanger steak
- 2 Italian frying peppers, thickly sliced
- In a large saucepan, combine the beans with the thyme and 2 of the garlic cloves. Cover with water and simmer over moderate heat until the beans are just tender, about 25 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper and let cool slightly in the liquid.
- Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the parsley, cilantro and the remaining garlic clove and pulse until chopped. Add the lemon juice and 1/2 cup of the olive oil and puree until smooth. Scrape the charmoula into a bowl. Stir in the ground coriander and cumin and season with salt and black pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil until shimmering. Add the oyster mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 10 minutes.
- Drain the beans; discard the thyme and garlic. Add the beans and beef broth to the mushrooms and cook over moderate heat until the liquid has nearly evaporated, about 15 minutes. Keep warm.
- Meanwhile, heat a grill pan. Generously season the steak with salt and black pepper and brush with olive oil. Brush the peppers with oil. Grill the steak, turning occasionally, until lightly charred all over and medium-rare within, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the steak to a work surface and let rest. Grill the sliced peppers until softened and lightly charred, about 5 minutes.
- Slice the steak across the grain and serve with the cranberry beans, mushrooms, grilled peppers and charmoula
