A few weeks ago, I found myself in a “last meals” conversation with a friend. Sometimes it seems like this is the adult version of “If you love pizza so much, why don’t you marry it?” Or maybe it’s the other side of the Favorite Food coin where something can’t just be great—it has to be “OMG the best whateverthef*** EVER!”

Anyway, I didn’t even have to think about my answer: steak with arugula salad. The runner up would be seared salmon with garlicky spinach.  Is it bad that this was not a difficult question for me? Unless everyone has their last meal request in their back pocket and I am totally normal.

I don’t eat red meat that often, but once a month, I find it really helps “replenish the iron stores,” so to speak.

When the folks at Amoretti sent me some different syrups and condiments to try, I went right for the pomegranate vinaigrette and vinegar. And what was the first thing I made? A weekday  version of my last meal, of course.

In the wintertime, I might do roasted red pepper, mushrooms, and some blue cheese in the arugula salad, but summertime is perfect for bright cherry tomatoes and roasted or grilled zucchini. Whatever you want to add, it’s hard to go wrong. I even threw in some leftover roasted eggplant because I could.

Summer Steak &  Arugula Salad

Ingredients:

• 4 oz lean steak (my favorites are filet mignon and flank steak)
• 3 cups arugula
• 4 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 slices roasted pepper
• 1/4 cup roasted zucchini rounds
• 1-2 rounds roasted eggplant, sliced (optional)
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp pomegranate vinegar
• 1 tsp olive oil
• sea salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp grated pecorino (optional)

Directions: 

1. Cook steak to preference—grill, broil, or pan sear. Slice it up real pretty and arrange on a plate if you want to get all fancy about it.
2. In a large mixing bowl, toss arugula with roasted veggies.
3. Whisk together mustard, vinegar, and olive oil. Pour over salad and toss. Season with salt and pepper and add pecorino if desired.
4. Pour salad onto plate with steak. Enjoy. Wine optional but encouraged.

What would your last meal be?