Refried Lentil and Arugula Grain Bowl with Seared Steak

I don’t have a grill so I love searing steak in a cast-iron skillet on the stove. The high heat and cast iron give the steak a nice crispy outer crust. For this recipe I chose to use a lesser-known cut of meat called culotte picanha. I tried it after my butcher friend Sebastian at The Pastoral Pig in New Jersey recommended it because as he says, “it is as tender as filet but with a lot of flavor”.

As I get older I try to make more rounded meals for dinner with a protein, vegetable and grain and to make that easy I turn to bowls like this one with a several components. This is a combination of steak, lentils, roasted carrots and arugula. For more grain bowl ideas check out these recipes here.

Refried Lentil and Arugula Grain Bowl with Seared Steak

About Culotte Picanha Steak

Tip: get to know your butcher!

They can recommend all sorts of different cuts and methods that you may be unfamiliar with and it’s a great way to educate yourself.

This cut of meat is favored by Brazilian steakhouses but is relatively unknown and unused by the American public. The triangular cut comes from the sirloin cap – it’s located under the sirloin and under the tri-tip. It typically has about ¼ inch of fat on the top of the cut. If your butcher doesn’t have culotte picanha then substitute your favorite cut of steak – but there is nothing exactly like culotte.

Key Ingredients in This Recipe

• Lentils – I love lentils in many different forms but my favorite way to make them is refried. My uncle taught me this method years ago, and this side makes its way into my dinner plan frequently. Lentils compliment a variety of proteins like steak, lamb or even salmon and can be made ahead of time and reheated.
• Greek yogurt – How does Greek yogurt differ from regular yogurt? It’s strained to remove any excess whey – resulting in a richer, creamier consistency yogurt. Full-fat (5% fat) tangy Greek yogurt is combined with lemon zest and juice, olive oil, cilantro and za’atar,
• Arugula – The peppery greens complement the roasted carrots, seared steak, lentils and tangy yogurt in this bowl. While I love wild arugula, kale, baby kale or spinach can easily be used.

How to Make Refried Lentil and Arugula Grain Bowl with Seared Seak

For the spiced yogurt sauce:

1. Mix the yogurt and spices. Stir together the Greek yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, cilantro and za’atar together in a small bowl until combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

To make the roasted carrots:

1. Season the carrots. Heat oven to 400ºF. Toss carrots in olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
2. Bake the carrots. Arrange in an even single layer on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Roast until the carrots are tender, about 20 minutes.

For the seared steak:

1. Heat oven. Heat oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
2. Prepare the steak. Heat a cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Season the steak generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Use a knife to score the fat of the steak in a crosshatch pattern. The pan is hot enough when a drop of water sizzles when it hits the pan.
3. Cook the steak. Add the steak, fat-side up in the pan. Sear for 5 minutes then flip the steak and sear for an additional 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the heat down if the steak is turning too dark too fast. Move pan to the oven and roast until the internal temperature of the steak at the thickest part is 135ºF for medium rare, about 15 minutes (this cut of steak shrinks up and becomes thicker).
4. Let rest. Let rest for 15 minutes then thinly slice against the grain.

To make the refried lentils:

1. Cook the lentils. In a medium saucepan over medium heat bring the lentils and chicken broth to a simmer. Cook until the lentils are tender, about 25 minutes. The lentils do not have to absorb all of the liquid as they cook, they are more like pasta. Rinse and drain the lentils using a fine mesh strainer and set aside.
2. Fry the lentils. In a medium skillet over medium heat, add the steak fat and heat through. Add the onion and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the cooked lentils and season with cumin, cayenne, and salt. Continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly until the lentils are slightly mashed. Remove the lentils from heat and serve in a bowl.

For assembly:

1. Assemble and serve. Divide arugula among bowls and top with watermelon radish, refried lentils, a spoonful of the spiced yogurt. Arrange carrots and steak in the bowls.

Tips and Tricks for This Recipe

• While culotte picanha is an incredible cut of steak, you can substitute another cut like ribeye in this recipe.
• The lentils can easily be prepared ahead of time. This is a great recipe to meal prep!

Other Recipes to Try

If you enjoy this refried lentil and arugula salad recipe, I recommend checking out some of these:

• Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Chimichurri
• Seared Steak with Refried Pinto Beans, Crispy Rice and Arugula
• Refried Lentils

Refried Lentil and Arugula Grain Bowl with Seared Steak

Print Pin

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Serves 4

US Customary – Metric

Ingredients:

For the spiced yogurt sauce:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 teasxpoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 2 teaspoons za’atar seasoning

For the roasted carrots:

• 1 bunch young carrots, tops removed
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt, as needed
• Freshly ground black pepper, as needed

For the seared steak:

• 2½ pounds culotte picanha steak, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes
• Kosher salt, as needed
• Freshly ground black pepper, as needed

For the refried lentils:

• 1 cup green lentils
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 3 tablespoons steak fat from seared steak, or extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• Kosher salt, as needed

For assembly:

• 6 packed cups wild arugula
• 1 medium watermelon radish, thinly sliced into half moons (optional)

Instructions:

For the spiced yogurt sauce:

• Stir together the Greek yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, cilantro and za’atar together in a small bowl until combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

For the roasted carrots:

• Heat oven to 400ºF. (200ºC) Toss carrots in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange in an even single layer on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Roast until the carrots are tender, about 20 minutes.

For the seared steak:

• Heat oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
• Heat a cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Season the steak generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Use a knife to score the fat of the steak in a crosshatch pattern. The pan is hot enough when a drop of water sizzles when it hits the pan.
• Add the steak, fat-side up in the pan. Sear for 5 minutes then flip the steak and sear for an additional 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the heat down if the steak is turning too dark too fast. Move pan to the oven and roast until the internal temperature of the steak at the thickest part is 135ºF for medium rare, about 15 minutes (this cut of steak shrinks up and becomes thicker).
• Let rest for 15 minutes then thinly slice against the grain.

For the refried lentils:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat bring the lentils and chicken broth to a simmer. Cook until the lentils are tender, about 25 minutes. The lentils do not have to absorb all of the liquid as they cook, they are more like pasta. Rinse and drain the lentils using a fine mesh strainer and set aside.
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, add the steak fat and heat through. Add the onion and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the cooked lentils and season with cumin, cayenne, and salt. Continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly until the lentils are slightly mashed. Remove the lentils from heat and serve in a bowl.

For assembly:

• Divide arugula among bowls and top with watermelon radish, refried lentils, a spoonful of the spiced yogurt. Arrange carrots and steak in the bowls.

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