Description
An elegant yet rustic appetizer featuring grilled Flat Iron steak, creamy roasted garlic-feta spread, crisp ciabatta, and a fresh tomato-olive-basil topping. Perfect for entertaining or a special treat.
Ingredients
- 1 beef Flat Iron Steak (about 8 ounces)
- 5 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 loaf ciabatta bread (11 to 14 ounces)
- 3/4 cup feta cheese crumbles
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp coarse grind black pepper
- 1 cup diced Roma tomatoes (about 4 medium, seeded and ribs removed)
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, halved and sliced into thin half moons
- 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small saucepan, heat garlic with vegetable and olive oil over medium-low heat for 8–10 minutes until garlic browns. Remove from heat, let cool.
- Drain garlic from oil. Reserve 2 tbsp oil for bread and 2 tbsp oil for tomato mixture.
- Slice ciabatta lengthwise, then into 18 slices (1/2 inch thick). Brush with reserved garlic oil, place on a baking sheet, and bake 10 minutes until lightly crisp.
- Chop cooled garlic and return to saucepan. Add feta and cook over medium heat 4–5 minutes until creamy, like ricotta. Keep warm.
- Season steak with salt and pepper. Grill over medium heat, covered, 10–14 minutes (145°F for medium-rare, 160°F for medium), turning occasionally.
- In a bowl, combine tomatoes, olives, basil, and remaining garlic oil.
- Spread about 2 tsp garlic-feta mixture on each toasted ciabatta slice. Top with 2 steak pieces and spoon tomato mixture over each.
Notes
- Swap feta with goat cheese for a tangier, creamier spread.
- Add roasted red peppers for a Mediterranean twist.
- Use whole-grain bread instead of ciabatta for a lighter version.
- Prepare steak and spread ahead, then assemble just before serving.
- Cook steak in a cast-iron skillet if a grill isn’t available.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilled + Baked
- Cuisine: Mediterranean Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 bruschetta pieces
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 530mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
