[senior citizen]

PAN-SEARED STEAK PIZZAIOLA

Makes 4 servings (or 2 servings for hearty eaters)
Total Time for Prep: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes
TWO VERY LARGE GARLIC CLOVES, or more, PRESSED, or minced.
16 oz. can crushed tomatoes (Contadina or San Marzano, etc.)
TWO 16 oz. boneless rib-eye steaks, each cut about 3/4 inch thick.

(You can use tougher grades of steak and you can oven cook them longer and slower for optimum tenderness)...........

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add one teaspoon oregano and next three ingredients.......
(fennel, crushed red pepper, garlic)
Stir 30 seconds.
Add canned crushed tomatoes and their juices; bring to simmer.
Crush further with back of fork if needed......
Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Basically, it's a quick marinara sauce or version thereof.

Meanwhile, sprinkle steaks on both sides with salt and pepper.
Then....crush 1/2 teaspoon oregano finely between fingertips and sprinkle over steaks.

Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in heavy medium skillet over medium high heat.

Add boneless ribeye steaks.
Saute until cooked to desired doneness; about 6 minutes per side.

6 minutes per side would be medium rare........

Cut steaks into pieces and divide among 4 plates (or 2 if desired).

Add pizzaiola sauce to steak skillet........
Bring to simmer, scraping up browned bits.......
Spoon sauce over plated steaks...........

You can serve the steak with penne or any type of pasta....
Also good with Italian rice.........or polenta......
Toss a nice green romaine salad.
Add some nice artisan bread........
You have a winner...........


My dad used to make this, so it is quite nostalgic for me...........

Many Italian grandmas all taught their sons how to cook.......
I found that out while doing my genealogy...........

I had often wondered why my dad was the only one on the block that cooked.........my mom cooked too, but every now and then he liked to make something or other..........as remembered from his childhood.

In later years, put in touch with cousins who all came from the same lineage, I discovered that all of their mothers from Laurenzana Potenza Basilicata....had taught the boys to cook , as well as the daughters.........mystery solved.

None of my husband's Polish male relatives ever cooked.

Anyway, the above dish should be nice and tender......so, cook it to your desired doneness............depending on the cut of steak you buy.