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Friday, July 1, 2011

50 Women Game-Changers (in Food): #4 Martha Stewart - Strip Steak w/ Chimichurri & Roasted Potato Wedges

In May '11, Gourmet posted a list of 50 Women Game-Changers (in Food) that runs the gamut from food writers to cookbook authors to television personalities to restauranteurs to chefs to food bloggers.  Some are a given.  Some are controversial.  Speaking the names of some brings fond childhood memories.  Speaking the names of others will make some readers cringe.  And of course, some of our favorites were not even included.  We food-lovers are a passionate bunch of people and whether we agree or disagree, every woman on this list has earned her place for a reason.  Being a woman who is passionate about food (cooking, eating, talking about, writing about, photographing), when I caught wind of Mary from One Perfect Bite's idea of cooking/blogging her way through each of these 50 women...one per week...I knew I wanted to join her.  Many of these women paved the way for us in culinary school, in the kitchen, in cookbooks, in food writing, and on television and I think it is a fabulous way to pay tribute to their efforts.  Some of the women on the list have been tops with me for years.  Some I have heard of (perhaps even seen, read, or cooked from) before.  And there are even a handful that I am not familiar with at all.  I excited to educate myself on each of these women game-changers and hope you look forward to reading along.  We are going in order from 1 to 50.
the "Gourmet" prompt...
4. Martha Stewart- Cooking as an ingredient of homemaking; homemaking as a craft; crafts as a competitive sport; the art of multimedia saturation—all this we blame on Martha.

Martha, Martha, Martha.  A person or an empire?  Perhaps both.  Some say that the Queen of Organization got her start back in 1961.  Babysitting and organizing birthday parties for Mickey and Meryl Mantle's four boys...and getting them to behave...was supposedly something that only Martha could do.  Martha's mother taught her to sew and cook.  She picked up the art of canning and preserving from visiting her grandparents.  Her father's love of gardening wore off on her.  And she graduated from Barnard with a double major in History and Architectural History.  She also modeled for a while.  She worked as a stockbroker for a few years before leaving that career and eventually starting a catering business from the basement of the Turkey Hill Road 1805 farmhouse that she and her (then) husband restored.  She was contacted to cater the party of a book release for her husband and impressed Crown Publishing's Alan Mirken, which led to her first book, Entertaining.  Entertaining became the first NY Times best-selling cookbook since Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking.  Martha proceeded to write many more books, write for magazines, and even started to make television appearances in the decade that followed Entertaining.  In 1990, Martha Stewart Living was born...with Martha as editor-in-chief.  The May 1995 issue of New York Magazine declared her "the definitive American woman of our time".  Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia combined Martha's television, print, and merchandising ventures with her Martha Stewart brand into on giant company, of which she served as chairwoman, president, and CEO with her business partner Sharon Patrick serving as Chief Operations Officer.

Jump forward to 2003 and Martha's indictment for securites fraud, obstruction of justice, and other counts.  She was released from prison in March 2005...and we all remember her hand-knitted shawl made by a friend she made "inside"...and began to work hard on making a comeback.  Many thought that her prison sentence would be the end of Martha, but in true Martha form...she pushed ahead with her head held tall and is now going stronger than ever.  It's rumored that she is difficult to work with.  But, what headstrong woman is not?  She knows what she wants and she doesn't accept less.  While at times I find her riding high on that horse of hers, I still admire her.  I think she's funny.  I think she's talented.  I think she's oh-so-crafty. I think she's earned her place in Gourmet's 50 Women Game-Changers.  Plus, how many times have you heard ..."well, I'm no Martha Stewart, but..."  Whether you choose to love her or hate her, her legacy is set in stone.

I am a sucker for pretty much any of her magazines.  I subscribe to Everyday Food, Whole Living, and occasionally Martha Stewart Living.  I also get her Organizing Tip of the Day in my email box.  I never fail to find something that I want to cook, bake, craft, or do when it comes to Martha.

worth further exploration: The Martha Blog, Martha Stewart (the website)
Strip Steak with Chimichurri and Roasted Potato Wedges
adapted from Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home
serves 4

for the Roasted Potato Wedges:

3 (~2 lb.) russet potatoes
1 Tbs. minced garlic, or more to taste
olive oil
coarse salt
freshly ground pepper

for Chimichurri:
½ c. minced red onion
⅓ c. coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh oregano
1 Tbs. minced garlic
⅓ c. extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbs. red wine vinegar
½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 Tbs. finely grated lemon zest
2½ tsp. coarse salt
½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

for Steak:
2 New York strip steaks (each ~1 lb. & 1" thick)*
coarse salt
freshly ground pepper
Roasted Potato Wedges:  Preheat oven to 450° F.  Cut each potato lengthwise into 12 wedges.  Toss them with garlic and some olive oil (~3 Tbs.) on a rimmed baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.  Spread in an even layer.  Roast until browned and crisp on bottom, ~25 minutes.  Flip with a spatula and continue roasting until browned on that side, anywhere from 15-10 minutes (watch carefully so they don't burn).

Chimichurri:  Mix everything in a bowl and let stand at room temperature for at least 15 minutes.

Steak:  Pat steaks dry with paper towels then season both sides with salt and pepper.  Heat a large cat-iron skillet over medium-high heat.  Once hot, add steaks without crowding.  Cook ~4 minutes on the first side until a browned crust has formed and then flip and continue cooking ~2 minutes more for medium rare.  If your steaks are thinner or if you like your meat done to a different temperature, you'll need to adjust times accordingly.  *If you can't find 1#,1" thick steaks, then just get what you can and again adjust cooking time.
Transfer Steaks to cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.  Slice think (against the grain) and divide among plates. Divide the roasted potatoes among plates, as well. Pass the chimichurri and spoon it on top.  I love a bit spoonful with each slice- so pungent!  It's also great on the potato wedges.
Martha Stewart (d.o.b: 8/3/41)

"My new motto is: When you're through changing, you're through."  ~Martha Stewart

Who is cooking along with these 50 Women Game-Changers?
*source: Wiki
I am sharing this post with:
friday potluck guest host girlichef FCFButton fresh food friday at la bella vita foodfriday Foodie Friday Logo 2 foodiefridaylittlebrickranch food trip friday friday food at mom trends recipestorunonbutton Friday Food Fight

Would you like to comment?

  1. Loved hearing more about Martha! Your dish does her proud!

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  2. I am drooling over all of your photos Heather. Martha is definitely a force ro be reckoned with and with her team has created an empire where her name is known by everyone.

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  3. Excellent post! That chimichurri is so perfect! And who doesn't love a perfectly grilled steak and roasties? Long live Martha!

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  4. Love her or Hate her...you cannot deny that every single product she allows her name to go on is very good quality...even when Kmart carried her line. ( which I totally miss!)

    Personally, I like her...but I wouldn't want to be her...lol Well, maybe have her money...

    This dish looks amazing!!!!!! You did Martha proud, I am sure!

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  5. @Renee...oh, me too! I loved her Kmart line.

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  6. I love Martha too - she really is an amazing woman. You've done such a beautiful job of that Chimichurri steak recipe - wow, that looks so good! I really enjoyed this post Heather, and I'm looking forward to reading more as you work your way through all those wonderful women game changers!!

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  7. What an interesting post; I too love Martha and these recipes look and sound so good. I decided to join your followers; you have such interesting tidbit to share.
    Rita

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  8. a real treat great recipe, the sauce is estupenda,abrazos.

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  9. Gosh this makes my mouth water! What delicious meat you can get wherever you are! mmmmm.

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  10. Can't wait to try this! Sounds amazing.

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  11. I love reading the recipes from you girls doing the 50 women game-changers. The list is spot-on anyway and it's such a pleasure to see their recipes online.
    (love these potato wedges!)

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  12. I am lovin' this recipe. You did her proud with it and the background information you put together for us. Great post. Have a good holiday. Blessings...Mary

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  13. Great post Heather you are always so informative. I must admit you have to admire Martha and all her accomplishments, whether you love her or hate her. I love her magazine too.

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  14. Martha really is a force to be reckoned with as are her recipes. As you've shown with this fabulous dish! The steak looks perfectly cooked and the chimichurri is like a breath of fresh air on top!

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  15. I was going to start my comments with a "Love her or Hate her" line, but really, does any one hate her anymore? She weathered her issues with dignity and deserves the respect she has gotten in the last few years.

    And Heather, someday we should have dinner... make this for me. Looks amazing

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  16. With all her warts, I love her still! My favorite sarcastic line used to be, "What would Martha do?" While I don't use power tools, I like to think Martha awakened my inner crafter and encouraged my love of cooking and entertaining. I am proud to recognize her as a mentor.

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  17. I like the way you wrote up Martha's career and of course, the food you have on this post. That's informative - love it.

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  18. first time i've heard of chimichurri and it looks mighty interesting!
    amazing shots as always, Heather!

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  19. Oh Martha, you really do have to love her. She's definitely the Julia Child of our generation. And, she does have quite a sense of humor, which I really like. This meal looks wonderful. Perfectly done and classic.

    Enjoy the holiday weekend Heather!

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  20. What a nice summary of Martha's life and all her accomplishments. Your Martha dinner looks fabulous - love your photos - Martha would be proud of you!

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  21. Hi Heather, my first time here...you have such a lovely blog....chimichurri, steak n' the potoato wedges looks gorgeous...:)

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  22. This looks divine. Thanks so much for linking on the Momtrends Friday Food swap. Have a great 4th!

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  23. What a great post and thanks for sharing such a magnificient recipe. It looks absolutely mouthwatering. Have a lovely weekend.
    kristy

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  24. Heather, you're reading my mind, I just put chimichuri sauce and grilled steak on my holiday menu. I've only googled and looked at one other recipe, but like the sounds of this one better. My friend and Colorado blogger over Eat, Drink and Wash up has appeared on the Martha Stewart show for winning the Pillsbury Cookoff. You would love her story about meeting Martha. :-)

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  25. thanks for sharing more about martha, like you i also subscribed to her organizing tip of the day...and your steak looks really perfect, i would love to learn how to do it all, my hubby will be happy f i made something like this, for sure! hehehe! thanks for sharing your recipe. have a great weekend! :)

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  26. Mmm, perfect summer meal! I am a fan of Martha, she did seem more down to earth after her troubles. Love the cook through idea!

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  27. im a meatatarian, me want that meat

    i have a drink for that yummy food in this entry

    happy weekend

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  28. I'm glad you made this. I saw a similar recipe in another magazine and I couldn't find it, but I've been thinking about it for a while. I will be making this next time I go to the store and buy some skirt steak.

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  29. Delicious! I am especially loving the potatoes which I would happily cover in the sauce too. ;-)

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  30. This is absolutely amazing! You did a great job with Martha, but I am not surprised :) Thanks for linking this to FCF - I am featuring this recipe (and your blog of course) all week on the home page @ Mangoes and Chutney. You Rock!

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  31. That sauce/salsa for the stake looks amazing and like it would really bring a nice fresh flavor to the stake! Want to try that.

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