Steak Picante with Salsa Verde and… La Cense Beef New Year Giveaway!!

I was recently contacted by the lovely Susanna from the Grass-fed Party, asking if i’d like to try some La Cense beef and host a giveaway for you, my beloved readers. Needless to say, i promptly accepted. La Cense is a great company that does direct-to-home beef and supports sustainable agriculture. They let their beautiful black angus cows graze in the open pastures of Montana instead of… feeding them the kind of chemically engineered crap they sell at Walmart – the stuff that makes you glow in the dark even-though you know you’re not a Saint. La Cense does it just the way cow-boys used to… with lots of luv’.

This is what’s at stake today ladies and gentlemen, some good ol’ cow-boy loving!

I was extremely pleased with the grass-fed NY strip-steak they sent me, i marinated it with harissa and olive oil and broiled it at high temperature to seal-in the juices and create a spicy crust, and served it with a bright and ‘green’ italian salsa verde. I subcontracted a friend to try the ribeye steak for me and words praising its tenderness were heard in faraway lands. It was described as one of a kind. The ground sirloin was turned into a zenburger and was gulped down in-style by the zenman. It was everything you want a zenburger to be, juicy and flavorful.

Here’s what you can win today:

– 2 lbs La Cense ground steak
– 2 La Cense petite sirloin

All you have to do is leave a comment at the end of this post and you’re entered. Please note that this giveaway is opened to U.S residents only. I will pick a winner at random based on the amount of bribes deposited to my paypal account* and La Cense will directly ship the prize to the lucky winner. Easy as one, two, five!

*Ok, this is a joke. Unless you insist… **
**My paypal account is at: eprivatechef[at]yahoo[dot]com***
***This is a joke, yet again! Sheesh.. i’m cracking myself up ^^

You have until my return from Aspen on January 6th, 2009 at midnight (eastern time) to enter this giveaway. The winner will be announced soon after my return. People who enter several times will be spanked mercilessly with a wooden spoon, as cleverly illustrated. It’s gonna get ugly!

My posting might be erratic during this trip, so behave, don’t trash this blog and take out the garbage!

Sayonara and good luck!
La Cense Steak Picante w/ Salsa Verde
(Serves 4)

For the steak:

  • 4 NY strip steaks
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon harissa (blended in 1/4 cup olive oil)

For the Italian salsa verde:

  • 1 tablespoon chopped capers
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 3 anchovies, mashed into a paste
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup italian parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 basil, chopped
  • 1 egg, hard boiled, and finely chopped
  • salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar


For the salsa verde:

  • Combine the capers, mustard, anchovy paste, garlic, shallots, olive oil, parsley and basil. Add the chopped egg. Season to taste with pinches of salt, pepper and sugar. Serve at room temperature. The flavor should be very ‘green’.

  • Season the steaks on both sides with salt and marinade in the harissa mixture for at least 30 minutes on the countertop.
  • Preheat the broiler or grill. When ready, broil or grill until the marinade has caramelized and forms a crust. Turn the steaks and continue to cook until desired doneness, medium-rare that is.
  • Let the steaks rest a few minutes before slicing them. Serve with salsa verde. Enjoy!
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  • Peter M

    I want BEEF! TOUTE SUITE!!!!

  • Elle

    Me me me! Did that sound greedy? good, because it was supposed to. 😉

    Have fun in CO–make sure you get some good quality snowboarding time in!

  • Ivan the Red

    Free beef???? Absofreakinglutelly!!!!
    http://www.mediumred.blogspot.com

  • peter

    Et beh me voilà; je suis une vrai pute pour la viande gratuit. Throw in a ’66 La Tâche, will you?

  • Jeremy

    Where is the beef? I’m eating ceviche 24-7 here in Ecuador, but I will be ravished by amoeba’s I am sure!

  • Judy@nofearentertaining

    I love salsa verde on my steak and I would really like to win this meat. I have tried their meat before and love it!

  • Claudia

    If you can't find harissa, what about another hot sauce & cumin? Or what?
    It sounds really good.

  • foodhuntress79

    (skip- I aint joining)

    Hai, sayonara Zen Chef-san. Itte irasshai. Ki o tsukete kudasai.

  • blizzard854

    bring on the beefffff!!!!!

  • Heather

    Pander, pander pander.

  • Joseph M

    I want it, I want it………

  • Susan

    I have always enjoyed your blog. And of course who doesn’t enjoy free beef. Vegs maybe but I think they even secretly crave it.

  • doggybloggy

    you turd…you totally stopped me from commenting tons of times…

  • Maryann

    I want beef. Yes I do
    I want beef. So do you.
    But you can’t ’cause it’s mine!!

  • Modnar

    Beef! And for everyone who says meat is murder, yes, it is, tasty, tender murder….

    Note to all the vegans: For every animal you refuse to eat, I will eat two!

    Give me steak!

  • Tom Sadler

    Ok I’ll bite! (sorry couldn’t resist)

  • Karen

    “Beef, it’s what’s for dinner”, count me in.

  • Steve

    Can’t wait to try this recipe, regardless of whether or not I win. Was that selfless enough? Pick me!

  • Erin

    What a delicious sounding recipe. I’m “turkey’d” out already from Christmas. Bring on the beef!

  • Stacey Snacks

    The beef you prepared looks beautiful.
    Be careful when you tell people you will spank them w/ a wooden spoon.
    You know how some of your fans will enter more than one comment!
    Enjoy Aspen.
    See you next year.
    Stacey

  • ila

    Mmmmm… That looks awesome.

    But don’t put me in, my dentist said I can’t eat beef until my jaw heals :[

  • Anonymous

    I was going to go vegetarian today, then I read your blog. Maybe in 2010?? Keep the steaks comin’

    Debra
    debdiego03@yahoo.com
    http://www.twitter.co/debdiego

  • Dana Reale

    YUM, looks delish! Thanks for the recipe and links!

  • Mimi the Blogger

    I’m a total grass fed beef girl. Oh pick me, pick me!

  • msjazzyfresh

    I want the beef! Thanks for the contest!

    poeticrevolution[at]gmail[dot]com

  • Nicole

    this is nice. Did you fry the potatoes or roast them?

  • Sutee D

    Wow, now I’m hungry!

  • Kath

    Hope you had fun in Aspen :-)

  • leena!

    I’m a foodwhore for grass-fed beef. I hope I win!

  • carvedinmarble

    awesome idea! ooh that beef!

  • Elizabeth

    Beef is good – the recipe looks delicious!

  • Clumbsy Cookie

    Since I’m not in the US will I also be spanked for leaving a comment? Hummmm I hope so! Have a great time!

  • maggie

    Looks good! Would love to try La Cense

  • My Sweet & Saucy

    Looks DELICIOUS! Hope to win!

  • April in CT

    Holy cow!! (hehe) Count me in-it to win-it!!

    Have a fun and safe trip!

  • Topher

    Thanks for the opportunity! BEEF!

    zekks at yahoo dot com

  • Renee

    Oh, MY! That looks about as good as anything I’ve seen in quite some time (and regardless of whether I win, I’m bookmarking this recipe – YUM!!!). Have fun on vacation, and thanks for the contest!

  • Anonymous

    You are in for some incredible snow and beautiful scenery. You are gonna love it! – Lori in Denver

  • Megan

    I was just telling my husband about this kind of beef. I would love to try some and taste the difference. Thanks for the chance!!!

  • janetfaye

    mmmm sounds delicious!

    I would love to win!

    Thank you!

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) gom

  • Regina

    Yummy ! Please enter me !

  • Big Boys Oven

    Zen, don't spank me yeah, I just want to wish you a jolly good New Year 2009!….from us Sunny & Sidney

  • Colloquial Cook

    Hm – I didn’t get a chance to make pretty pictures the first time round – I want a chance to amend. That’s laudable, right?

  • Gloria

    Dear Zen Chef is absolutely nice and tasty!!!! beautiful pictures!!! dont work so much my dear Zen!!! xxGloria

  • Kristin

    beef tastes good… and so does this blog! In the meantime, butternut squash ravioli here I come.

  • carol

    the zen chef is the best!!
    going to try out that recipe as soon as possible…
    your blog never fails to amuse and entertain…
    would LOVE to win some of that amazing beef..

  • Bijou salon

    Okay, I hope I’m not too late;) I love real beef, we have an organic butcher in town and I no longer can buy meat from a grocer! I really taste the difference!
    Kim

  • Susan

    Thank you for this opportunity- I love the way your beef looks- We all eat ours rare here – the other day I made a Rib Roast and one of my guests wanted it well done- after slicing the meat I cooked his piece longer and suffered through the whole ordeal! It hurt me to do that to that gorgeous piece of meat! Se La Vie!

  • Logan B

    Your dish looks amazing, I’ll have to try it if you choose me!

  • Colleen

    Found your site following links for the great looking picture with the recipe. Sounds awesome and I will try it with my family. Snow’s supposed to be awesome in the hills today. Enjoy!