Warm Pearled Barley and Mushroom Salad with Sliced Flank Steak

Say farewell to summer with this warm, nutritious steak salad.

Ingredients

For the barley:

• 1 cup pearled barley
• 1 large bay leaf
• 1 small onion, halved
• Salt

For the steak:

• 1 1/2 pounds flank steak, at room temperature
• 3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, coarsely chopped
• 2 large cloves garlic, chopped
• Sea salt and pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), for brushing
• 1/2 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon

For the salad:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 1 pound mushrooms, such as crimini, coarsely chopped
• 1 rib celery with leafy top, chopped
• 2 shallots, chopped
• A small handful of dried porcini or mixed dried mushrooms, broken into small pieces
• 1/4 cup Marsala wine or dry sherry
• 1 1/2 cups veal stock or beef stock
• 3-4 cups escarole or baby kale, chopped
• Freshly grated or ground nutmeg
• Shaved Pecorino Romano cheese, for garnish

Preparation

In a medium size pot, cover the barley with water and bring to a boil with the bay leaf and onion; salt, to taste. Cook until tender, 20-22 minutes, then drain, discarding the bay leaf and onion.

Meanwhile, heat a grill pan, griddle or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Dress the beef with the rosemary, garlic, sea salt and pepper. Brush with EVOO and grill for 12 minutes. Let rest for a few minutes, then thinly slice. Toss with the chopped parsley and lemon juice.

In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons EVOO, three turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the fresh mushrooms and cook until browned, 10 minutes. Add the celery and shallots and cook, 2-3 minutes. Add the dried mushrooms and deglaze with the Marsala. Add the stock and simmer to soften the dried mushrooms, 8-10 minutes. Add the greens and a grate of nutmeg and cook to wilt. Add the barley and adjust the seasoning, to taste.

Top the warm salad with the sliced steak and garnish with the Pecorino Romano.