Sous Vide Tuscan Rib Eye Steaks

By JimMac

Sous vide is the perfect way to cook steak, not to mention the delicious bacon-fat potatoes and sweet red onions that constitute the perfect sides.

Ingredients

• POTATOES:
• 1/4 cup rendered bacon fat
• 4 sprigs thyme
• kosher salt as needed to season
• 3/4 pound fingerling potatoes, washed
• ONIONS:
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2/3 cup sliced red onions
• STEAKS:
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground fennel
• 2 tablespoons chopped anchovies
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
• 4 (10- to 12-ounce) natural boneless rib eye steaks

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 80mins
Adapted from blog.sousvidesupreme.com

Preparation

Step 1

Fill and preheat the sous vide bath to 168°F.

In a skillet over medium heat, add the bacon fat, thyme, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt and simmer for 2 minutes.

Slice the fingerling potatoes into 1/2-inch coins, toss them in bacon fat; put the fat mixture and potatoes into a large cooking pouch and vacuum seal.

Submerge the pouch in the water and cook for 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium heat, simmer the honey, butter, orange zest, and balsamic vinegar for 5 minutes.

Season the onions with kosher salt. Add them to the skillet and toss to coat.

Pour the onions into a small cooking pouch and vacuum seal.

Submerge the pouch of onions in the water oven and cook them, along with the potatoes, for 30 minutes.

When the cooking time for the vegetables has elapsed, reset the temperature of the water oven to 134°F. Add some cold water or ice cubes to drop the temperature more quickly. (If you have room, you can leave the vegetables in the water along with the steaks. If not, remove and wrap the vegetable pouches in foil to keep warm.)

Meanwhile make the marinade, in a skillet over medium heat; warm 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and simmer the garlic until golden brown, roughly 4 minutes, then add the black pepper, fennel, anchovies, parsley, and rosemary. Remove from heat.

Lightly season the steaks with kosher salt and rub the marinade over both sides.

Put the steaks into individual small cooking pouches and vacuum seal.

Submerge the steaks in the water oven and cook for 30 minutes.

Heat a lightly oiled grill or cast iron pan to high heat, remove the steaks from the vacuum pouch, and finish them with a quick sear to caramelize the surface.

Warm the potatoes and onions, if needed, and plate the dish.

ASSEMBLE:
Layer the potatoes on the plate and nest the onions to the side. Slice the steak and arrange it atop the potatoes and onions. Garnish with a sprinkling of fresh chives, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of black pepper, and a drizzle of the sauce from the onions.