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Everyone has a Flank Steak recipe. Here’s mine.

This easy treat can be enjoyed as a meal, side dish, or atop a hearty salad. This recipe becomes magical not so much by the ingredients, but rather by the combination of marinating time and cooking technique. Be patient and experiment.

Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 medium – large flank steak
• 2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
• 1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon dried mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon each cumin and turmeric (or prepared curry spice)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 cup of pure maple syrup
• Some of your favourite BBQ sauce

(Feel free to substitute you favourite Steak Spice blend to taste. You can substitute fresh garlic and onion, but you will need more and they tend to burn on the grill)

Preparation (10 minutes, prepare up to two days in advance)

1. In a 1 – 2 inch deep dish coat both sides of the beef with maple syrup. Allow the excess to collect in the pan
2. Blend the dried spices together and dust half onto one side of the beef, saving the rest for the other side.
3. Tenderize first side of the beef by piercing thoroughly with a fork, do not mash or thin the meat. ‘Encourage’ the maple syrup and spices to penetrate the surface.
4. Gently flip the beef as not to displace any of the marinade, and repeat with the remaining dried spices.
5. Cover the pan securely and refrigerate for at least 24-48 hours.

Cooking

1. Preheat BBQ to very hot (Gas:350-400 deg. Charcoal: very white, no flame).
2. Clean and lightly oil the grill with vegetable oil (or just about anything except olive oil), allow to smoke a minute or two.
3. Place beef onto grill at an angle, and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes. Lift and rotate 90 degrees. DO NOT FLIP. Cook an additional 2 minutes.
4. Flip the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes. Rotate again and finish cooking for 2 more minutes. Note: Cook to just under your desired doneness, beef will continute to cook after removing from grill.
5. Place the beef into a dish and brush lightly with BBQ sauce and cover.
6. Leave undisturbed in a warm place for 25-30 minutes. Slice into 1/4 inch pieces across grain and serve.

Vary the ingredients and try it often, soon you’ll make it your own. Enjoy.