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Friday Night Steak & Yam Fries is the first instalment in my Paleo Dude’s Guide to Cooking: a three-part series that tackles weekend cooking for the modern paleo guy. It was originally developed in collaboration with the Human Fit Project for Men’s Fitness Magazine. You can also find the recipe on MensFitness.com.
Friday Night Steak & Yam Fries
I’ll go out on a limb here and say that every woman loves a man who can cook! Aside from my killer shoe-game, it was the only thing I had going for me when I was a 255lbs bachelor. The lure of a homemade meal was enough to score me first, second or third dates with girls that were out of my league and is the only reason my, now, fiancée stuck around for 10 years! I think that cooking anything from scratch is more impressive than dining out but if you’re looking to wow her, nothing beats steak. It is the quintessential celebratory meal in North America and, when done right, can knock a lady off her feet. This recipe is absurdly simple and nearly impossible to mess-up (unless she’s vegan, in which case you’re on your own!)
Pro Tip: Get her involved! Invite her into the kitchen and make her a part of the process. All the while, you can flex your culinary muscles by expounding upon the health and ecological benefits of the grass-fed, antibiotic and hormone-free wagyu you hand-selected with the help of your butcher and how yams are just as delicious as potatoes but are low-glycemic! Actually, the last part isn’t as sexy when you say it out loud!
You can watch this short video for the Yam Fries Recipe. Note that I use sweet potatoes in the video but it works the same with yams.
Friday Night Steak & Yam Fries
Serves 2 (cooking time varies depending on cut and size of steak and yams)
Ingredients:
2 – 8-10oz 1”-1¼” thick Grass-Fed, Pasture-Raised, New York Strip Steaks
2 – medium-sized Japanese yams – unpeeled and cut into wedges (substitute sweet potatoes, if desired)
3-4 sprigs Fresh Thyme
2-3 cloves garlic – smashed and unpeeled
Spicy Paprika
Kosher Salt and Freshly-Cracked Black Pepper
Coarse Salt
2 tbsp ghee
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Avocado Oil
Method:
- 1-2 hours prior to cooking, remove steaks from fridge to allow them to come to room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 400F. Scrub yams under running water to remove dirt and cut into medium-sized wedges (approx. ½” wide). Transfer to baking sheet, drizzle approx. 1 tbsp EVOO and season with a pinch of kosher salt, pepper and spicy paprika – toss everything to coat. Lay each wedge flat and bake approx. 45 min or until golden-brown and fork tender – flip them halfway into cooking.
- Around the 30-minute mark, get to work on the steak. Preheat your cast-iron skillet over med-high heat. Pat the steaks dry with paper towel. Rub them with a small amount of avocado oil and liberally season both sides with coarse salt. Once the skillet begins to smoke, lay each steak flat into the pan and cook exactly 2:00 min on medium-high heat. Do not move the steaks – you are trying to develop a golden-brown crust.
- Flip the steaks, add-in 2 Tbsp ghee, 2-3 cloves smashed garlic, and 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme to the bottom of the skillet. Using a damp kitchen towel or heat-resistant mitt, gently tip the skillet towards yourself so that the juices pool at the bottom. (Caution: there will likely be some splatter from the rendered juices.) Using a large spoon, continuously baste each steak for 1:45-2:00min for medium-rare to medium. Cook less for more rare.
- Immediately remove steaks from the skillet, season both sides with freshly-cracked black pepper and rest on a cooling rack or an upside down spoon anywhere from 6 to 10min.
- Meanwhile, check on the sweet potatoes and if they are fork tender, remove them from the oven.
- Once the steak is rested, slice against the grain and serve alongside the yam fries and an optional salad of your choice.
Friday Night Steak and Yam Fries
About the Author
Hi, i'm Ronny! In 2013, after a lifetime of struggling with my weight and body issues, I rehabilitated my relationship with food, lost over 40 pounds and completely changed my life.
Your Steak and yam fries look amazing and delicious. Thanks for sharing! How fitting for Bastille Day.
Phillip
Cooks and Kid
http://www.cooksandkid.com