A Basque steakhouse-style grilled t-bone with smoky Espelette butter and a bright charred sweet corn piperade for a special summer dinner.
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Estimated cost: $10–$14 for the listed produce and pantry-style additions, plus the cost of t-bone steak
Health notes: About 850 calories per serving depending on steak size, with high protein, a rich butter sauce, and vegetables from corn, peppers, tomatoes, and onion.
Drink pairing: Choose a structured Rioja-style red or Cabernet Sauvignon to stand up to the charred steak and smoky pepper butter.
Details
Ingredients
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T-bone steak1 large steak, about 1 1/2 to 2 lb and 1 1/2 inches thick
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Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob2 ears, shucked $0.75
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Fresh Red Hothouse Bell Pepper1 pepper, quartered and seeded $1.67
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Fresh Yellow Bell Pepper1 pepper, quartered and seeded $1.67
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Jumbo Sweet Onions1/2 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch slabs $1.39
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Private Selection® Campari Tomatoes2 tomatoes, halved $3.99
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Garlic2 cloves, finely grated or minced $0.69
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Parsley3 tablespoons chopped $1.29
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Unsalted butter4 tablespoons, softened
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Olive oil2 tablespoons, divided
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Piment d’Espelette or smoked paprika with a pinch of cayenne1 1/2 teaspoons, divided
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Sherry vinegar1 tablespoon
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Kosher salt and black pepperto taste
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Flaky sea saltfor finishing
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Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)1 bottle $24.99
Instructions
- Pat the t-bone very dry, season generously all over with kosher salt and black pepper, and let it stand at room temperature for 35 to 40 minutes while you prep the vegetables and heat the grill.
- Mix the softened butter with the garlic, 1 teaspoon piment d’Espelette, 1 tablespoon parsley, and a pinch of salt; set aside at cool room temperature.
- Heat a grill for two-zone cooking with one hot side and one medium-low side; rub the corn, bell peppers, onion, and tomato halves with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season lightly with salt.
- Grill the corn, peppers, onion, and tomatoes over the hot side, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, about 8 to 12 minutes total; move pieces to a board as they finish.
- Chop the grilled peppers, onion, and tomatoes into bite-size pieces, cut the kernels from the cobs, and toss everything with the sherry vinegar, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, remaining 1/2 teaspoon piment d’Espelette, 2 tablespoons parsley, and salt to taste.
- Grill the steak over the hot side until deeply seared, 3 to 5 minutes per side, then move it to the medium-low side, cover, and cook to 125°F for medium-rare, about 6 to 10 minutes more depending on thickness.
- Transfer the steak to a board, spread half the Espelette butter over the top, and rest for 10 minutes so the juices settle and the butter melts into the crust.
- Slice the steak off the bone, cut across the grain, arrange with the bone on a platter, spoon the charred sweet corn piperade alongside, dot with the remaining butter, and finish with flaky sea salt.
Wine picks:
- Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) $24.99 1 bottle
- El Pensador Tempranillo $9.99 1 bottle
Why it works: Two complementary directions: a bold, modern Cabernet to match the char, crust and fat of a grilled T‑bone, and a savory Tempranillo that echoes Basque/Rioja flavors and the Espelette spice. The Cabernet brings dark fruit, structure and tannin to cut through the buttered steak and stand up to the smoky char; the Tempranillo offers red-fruit, savory leather/earth tones and higher acidity that play nicely with the charred corn piperade and sherry vinegar brightness.