TAGLIATA OF BONE-IN RIB EYE WITH ARUGULA

Ingredientai

SERVES 4

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon hot red pepper flakes

¼ cup porcini mushroom powder (see page 21)

5 garlic cloves, minced

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus about 1 tablespoon

One 3- to 3½-pound bone-in rib-eye steak, about 3 inches thick

3 cups trimmed arugula, washed and spun dry

Fine sea salt

Great extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling

Balsamic vinegar for drizzling

Nurodymai

IN A SMALL BOWL, combine the sugar, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, mushroom powder, garlic, and ¼ cup olive oil and stir well to form a thick paste with the consistency of wet sand

Rub the paste all over the steak, coating it evenly. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, or overnight. About 1 hour before grilling, remove the steak from the refrigerator and brush off the excess marinade with a paper towel. Place the steak on a plate and let come to room temperature. Preheat a gas grill or prepare a fire in a char- coal grill (use enough coals to keep the fire going for about 25 minutes).

Put the steak on the hottest part of the grill, cover, and cook, turning every 6 to 8 min- utes, for about 25 minutes for medium-rare; the internal temperature should be 125°F. Transfer to a carving board and let rest for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, dress the arugula with about 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with sea salt to

taste.

Slice the meat against the grain into ½-inch- thick pieces. Arrange on plates or a platter, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and top with the arugula. Serve immediately.

Pastabos

Rib eye is the steak they eat in Italy when they can't find the T-bone for Fiorentina. (The word tagliata merely refers to the fact that the steak is served sliced rather than

whole.) The sugar in the spice crust helps develop the char and "steakhouse" crust you want, and the porcini powder adds an immeasurable earthy component. Make this for a celebration dinner.