Grilled Flank Steak with Avocado Relish

A little fruity avocado oil and fresh avocado (both full of good-for-you fats) boost flavor in relatively lean flank steak. If you don't have avocado oil, use any type of fruity olive oil, like an Italian extra-virgin variety. This recipe also works well in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Don't seed the jalapeño pepper to pump up the raw heat factor in the relish.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 3 ounces steak, about 1/3 cup relish, and 1 lime wedge)

Ingredients

• 2  teaspoons  grated lime rind, divided
• 4  teaspoons  avocado oil or fruity extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt, divided
• 1/8  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 1  (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed
• Cooking spray
• 1  cup  diced peeled avocado
• 1/2  cup  chopped plum tomato
• 2  tablespoons  chopped red onion
• 1  tablespoon  fresh lime juice
• 2  teaspoons  finely chopped seeded jalapeño pepper (about 1 small)
• 4  lime wedges

Preparation

1. Combine 1 teaspoon rind, 2 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and garlic in a small bowl.

2. Score a diamond pattern on both sides of steak. Rub both sides of steak with oil mixture. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

3. Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

4. Place steak on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 6 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices.

5. Combine remaining 1 teaspoon rind, remaining 2 teaspoons oil, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, diced avocado, tomato, red onion, lime juice, and jalapeño pepper in a small bowl. Serve sliced steak with the relish and lime wedges.

Wine note: When it comes to red meat, fattier cuts benefit from big red wines, whose drying tannins help to balance the food. With a leaner cut and a summery preparation like Grilled Flank Steak with Avocado Relish, opt for a supple California merlot, like Clos du Bois Merlot North Coast 2005 ($15). This wine has soft tannins and juicy plum and black cherry flavors that meld with the fruity combination of avocado and tomato. —Jeffery Lindenmuth

Nutritional Information

Calories:

283

Fat:

17.7g (sat 4.1g,mono 10g,poly 1.7g)

Protein:

25g

Carbohydrate:

6.4g

Fiber:

3.5g

Cholesterol:

42mg

Iron:

1.9mg

Sodium:

349mg

Calcium:

28mg