Meat mains
Sirloin steak with spinach and cannellini beans
This is such a simple dish. We have given it a twist by serving the steak on a bed of creamy beans flavoured with rosemary and garlic. You can use any white bean, or keep it more traditional with mashed potato.
Cook's notes
To wash spinach, leeks or any other greens that can be a little gritty, swirl them in a bowl of cold water, leave for 2 minutes then lift them out. That way any grit falls to the bottom of the bowl. Give them a little extra rinse if needs be.
Ingredients
- 400g baby spinach
- 1 good sprig rosemary
- 1 red onion
- oil for frying e.g. sunflower or light olive
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1½ tins cannellini beans
- 2 sirloin steaks
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper
Method
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Step 1
Put a large pan of water on to boil for the spinach. Wash the spinach well. Pick the leaves off 1 good sized sprig of rosemary. Finely chop them so they resemble breadcrumbs.
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Step 2
Peel and finely dice the red onion. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a good-sized saucepan. Add the onion and rosemary. Fry for 10 minutes, stirring well. Add a splash of water if it looks like catching at any point. Meanwhile, peel and crush or finely chop 2 garlic cloves. Drain and rinse the cannelini beans.
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Step 3
Rinse out the empty tin and refill quarter full with water. After 10 minutes, add the garlic to the onion and stir-fry for 1 minute.
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Step 4
Add the beans. Add the water in the bean tin. Bring up to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often; the beans will start to break down a little and become creamy. Give them a little prod here and there with your spoon to help them on their way.
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Step 5
Add a splash more water if needed as they cook, but avoid making the mixture too runny. Add the spinach leaves to the pan of boiling water. Cook for 1 minute, until wilted. Drain the spinach into a colander and run under cold water to cool it.
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Step 6
Drain, squeeze out excess moisture so you have a small ball of spinach. Chop the leaves. Rub the sirloin steaks with a little oil. Season with salt and pepper. Heat a frying pan until smoking hot. Add the steaks.
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Step 7
Fry for 1 minute on each side (cook for longer if you like your meat well done). Transfer them to a plate to rest. Gently mix the beans and spinach together. Reheat, check the seasoning then serve with the steak, dabbed with a little of the mustard, to your own taste.