Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Garlic and Dijon Grilled Tri-Tip Steaks

It's too late for me. But, if I had ever decided to give up on delicious food and begin a quest for a perfectly toned and gorgeous body, I'm pretty sure that swimming would have been the way to go. And although I am watching the Olympics for the glory of the game, I can't help but notice all of the glorious physiques, male and female alike. I haven't seen any arm flab, love handles, or cellulite. And there's no place to hide any of these figure flaws in those tiny Olympic uniforms (if you saw Women's Volleyball, then you know what I'm talking about).
So since I can't be a Greek Olympic Goddess, I think I'll just continue on making delicious food on a budget. Like this steak. I can't give up on my love affair with tri tip. It's just so luscious and beefy and earns perfect 10s from anyone that you share it with. I love it with soy and lime, but I also adore it with garlic, Dijon and red wine vinegar. Pair it with a lovely tomato and basil Italian bread salad....coming tomorrow, so you better tune in again.
Money Saving Tips: Don't even bother with tri tip if it isn't on sale-but if it is, throw out the popsicles and make room in the freezer. You can use other cuts of beef, like flatiron, or flank steak if you can find them at a more reasonable price. Costco has tri tip for $5.99/lb-which is a truly great deal. If you don't have red wine vinegar, use balsamic for a great twist.
Garlic and Dijon Grilled Tri Tip
Estimated Cost: $7.00-if you get the meat on sale (see above)
Notes: Don't worry about the acidity of the vinegar and mustard; it will mellow out on the grill. Garlic powder really works well here if you're pressed for time.
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 cloves garlic, smashed with 1/2 teaspoon salt, (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt)
1 heaping teaspoon black pepper
1 lb. tri tip steaks
Place all ingredients except steak in a bowl and mix until smooth. Place steak in zip top bag. Pour in marinade. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight. Preheat grill or broiler for medium hot cooking. Grill steaks about four minutes per side for medium rare.
Coming Tomorrow:
Barefoot Thursdays
Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad)

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I hear you about those olympic bodies! I wish I too could be a Greek Olympic Goddess. But I lack the athleticism and apetite control, so here I am! =D Although did you hear how many calories Michael Phelps eats in a day? 8000! Yeah three zeroes! I bet he would enjoy your tri trip!

Beth (jamandcream) said...

Great steak - love the marinade! Looking foward to the panzanella tomorrow. I had a great panzanella in Rome last year while there for a long weekend and really want to re-create it at home.

Brooke said...

I bet my husband would love this recipe. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I don't think I've ever cooked tri-tip steaks before but these look great!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Maybe you're not an Olympic Goddess but in my book your a Culinary Goddess. I'm always looking for a new twist with beef and I'm a steak girl. I am going to surprise my family this weekend with this.

Aggie said...

Good morning! I think I just bought these same steaks at Costco's...I've never made them before. Garlic and dijon - sounds delicious!!

Ok, so I have to agree about these Olympic bodies...no jiggles there! And now I guess I'll be off to the gym!

Kirsten said...

Your tri-tips look great. I've never seen that cut at my grocery store, but I might try the marande on something else. I enjoy watching all the amazing athletes with their perfectly toned bodies while eating a half gallon of ice cream!

Mary Ann said...

Prudy,
I so know what you mean about the Olympic bodies- those volleyball girls look amazing in those undies, oh I mean uniforms. The swimmers are amazing too. anyway, back to the food, I think my husband would probably love me even more if I made this. Great ideas, I can't wait to see what you do with the salad tomorrow.

Maria said...

I am amazed by the Olympic swimmers too! Garlic and Dijon..sounds like a winner!

Jenny said...

Look at that steak! Yum! I know isn't is sickening to see those perfect Olympic bodies. I guess they certainly work hard enough to have them! Time to get my bootie to the gym!

Anonymous said...

yeah...let's not talk about the bodies of the olympians. it's depressing. ;-)

this steak (never had tri-tip before) however, makes me want turn my grill on and endure this texas heat. mmmm, steak...*drool*

MK and Co. said...

These steaks look amazing!I was going to do your soy lime recipe on Sunday but now I'm not so sure. You just presented a very difficult decision for me Prudy!That garlic and Dijon sound pretty dang good.Hmmmmmm....

SA Kids Editor said...

I'm going to have to try tri-tip. I've heard a lot about it lately and my husband loves steak. I'll have to look up the fat content, etc.

gigi said...

I don't eat a lot of red meat but I think that we would both enjoy this recipe.

I don't think the white peach was ripe. It was hard and tasteless. I think I need to go to California and stop at one of those road side farms. That is where I had the best peach I've ever eaten in my life. We couldn't get very far before I wanted to stop and buy more fruit. The strawberries were out of this world too.

Sara said...

We aren't big steak eaters, but I would love to give this a try. Sounds and looks delicious! I'm with you on the olympian physique...I definitely don't have it, but I can dream! I'm lovin' the games! Have fun!

The Blonde Duck said...

Sorry--I was in my work e-mail and didn't know it. I'm SA Kids.

Emily said...

Yum-E as always! I'm adding this to our ice cream night (Pollyana dinner night . . steak and ice cream) anywho it sounds and looks great!

Eleganza Strings/ The DeLadurantey Family said...

I think it would taste good on chicken! I don't really care for steak............tomorrows recipe looks really interesting!

Deanna said...

Hubs and I about freaked when we heard how many calories Michael Phelps eats in a day!! That is a lot of good Prudence food!

Amy said...

Looks delicious! I am always looking for new ways to flavor up some steak!

La Bella Cooks said...

I have a huge love affair with beef and this recipe sounds so yummy! I guess we could be perfectly toned if we got to play beach volleyball all day, but I would rather lounge by the pool with panzanella ;)

vanillasugarblog said...

Those Olympic swimmers' bodies are amazing aren't they. I saw an interview with Phelps about how he just eats whatever he wants; something like 8000 calories a day? His body is truly a work of art for sure.
I loved your steak recipe here.

Anonymous said...

Tri-Tips are my favorite steak! I was introduced to them while living in North Carolina and fell in love. Sams Club has a good deal on them too. I'll have to try your recipe using the dijon. I'm a fresh rosemary and chopped garlic rub kinda girl.
~The Cat's Pajamas

Prudy said...

Catte:
I can't beleive that he eats 8000 calories a day. If I weren't so lazy, I'd swim and eat behind him.

Sophie said...

Yum! I haven't had tri-tip since I was in California; back in Texas everyone was a fan of brisket...and now here in Boston, I don't know what they eat :P.

I know what you mean about the swimming, definitely my favorite athletic thing to do...I like it because I don't have to sweat! I wish I could have those strong swimmer's arms too!! :P

Prudy said...

Gigi:
Sorry about your lousy peach. It's hit or miss sometimes. I used to love to drive home from the beach in CA and get a huge flat of strawberries. Always perfect.

Emily said...

I'm sooo trying tri tip. Those steaks look luscious!

Marie Rayner said...

I'm afraid it's too late for me to have an Olympic body as well! I could happily become a vegetarian if it wasn't for steak! I love a good steak and this one looks delicious!