I've had quite a few steak sandwiches in my day, and I've had some real shockers. Steak full of gristle and fat, bread that gets soaked with beetroot and tomato juice, and limp, lifeless salad - this is the stuff of steak sandwich nightmares.
This one is different; I would go so far as to say that this steak sandwich is elegant in the world of steak sandwiches. I first tried something like it at a little cafe in Albury, and have been working to emulate it since. The toasted sourdough remains firm and crunchy against the garlic mayo and the juices from the beetroot and steak, and everything just goes together so well. It's a really quick and easy dinner option that I've found pretty useful when we have zero time, and I hope you do too. I really encourage you to make the mayo - you won't regret it.
Steak Sandwich
1. For the garlic mayo, whisk together 1 clove of minced garlic, the juice of half a lemon, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and 2 egg yolks. Add a couple of grinds of salt and pepper, and then add 1 cup of vegetable oil drop by drop, whisking constantly so that it emulsifies. Refrigerate until needed.
2. Fry 4 minute steaks over a high heat until cooked as desired, around one minute on each side.
3. Assemble your sandwich with some toasted sourdough spread with the mayo, assorted salads (we used lettuce, tomato, and beetroot), then your steak. Top with some fried or caramelised onion if desired, then finish off with another piece of sourdough, of course.
I totally agree when steaks are full of sinew and fat and worse still when the bread is soggy from meat juices :(
Your meat is even bending according to the contours of your bread!! You're a champ!
Posted by: chopinandmysaucepan | Aug 03, 2011 at 11:47 PM
I try to stay away from steak sandwiches if I don't have cutlery available, some of them can be really hard to eat due to tough meat. Better to DYI, like you :)
Posted by: Gaby | Aug 04, 2011 at 09:24 AM
Yum! i love a good steak sandwich. that mayo sounds great. an especially good memory i have was when it was served with a beetroot style chutney....
Posted by: muppy | Aug 04, 2011 at 10:51 AM
I thought I should add that we usually cut out own steaks, either a rump or scotch fillet. It really makes a difference. Enjoy.
Posted by: Stephen | Aug 04, 2011 at 05:46 PM
Oh yes, I'll have one of those please!!!
*kisses* HH
Posted by: Heavenly Housewife | Aug 05, 2011 at 12:37 AM
yum i love homemade garlic mayo!
Posted by: chocolatesuze | Aug 05, 2011 at 11:48 AM
This does sound like a fantastic steak sambo indeed! We go to the markets and buy wagu minute steaks, they cost about $10 each but are soooo worth it for the ultimate in steak sambo luxury. The butcher was appalled when he asked what we were buying it for though!
Posted by: InTolerantChef | Aug 09, 2011 at 07:15 PM