Flank Steak with Caramelized Onions and Balsamic Glaze

A sauce made from reduced balsamic vinegar gives this steak unique flavor. Both the steak and onions contribute a hefty dose of potassium to this entrée--766 milligrams in each serving. Serve with steamed broccoli or asparagus, and drizzle some of the glaze over the vegetable.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 3 ounces steak, about 1/4 cup onions, and about 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze)

Ingredients

• 2/3  cup  balsamic vinegar
• 1  tablespoon  olive oil
• 6  cups  vertically sliced onion (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt, divided
• 1  (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed
• 1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4  teaspoon  dried thyme
• Cooking spray

Preparation

Bring balsamic vinegar to a boil in a small, heavy saucepan. Reduce heat to medium; cook until reduced to 1/4 cup (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and sauté 10 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt; sauté 18 minutes or until onions are golden brown. Remove from heat.

Preheat broiler.

Sprinkle steak with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper, and thyme. Place steak on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; broil 6 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Cutsteak diagonally across grain into thin slices. Serve steak over onions; drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Wine note: Steak and caramelized onions are fabulous partners for numerous red wines. But the balsamic vinegar glaze presents a bit of a challenge since vinegar can make wine taste sharp. One variety stands up especially well to vinegar: syrah (also known as shiraz). There are many great syrah/shirazes available. Try Geyser Peak Winery's shiraz from California, which is dense and lipsmacking--a steal at $18. -Karen MacNeil

Nutritional Information

Calories:

317 (28% from fat)

Fat:

9.9g (sat 2.8g,mono 4.8g,poly 0.7g)

Protein:

26.9g

Carbohydrate:

30.6g

Fiber:

3.4g

Cholesterol:

37mg

Iron:

2.7mg

Sodium:

375mg

Calcium:

95mg