Brazilian Lunch Feast: Grilled Churrasco Steak with Creamy Cheese-Parmesan Bread and Garlic Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Allergens

Gluten (from the spinach and cheese mixture) - Dairy (from the cheese used in the bread)

Ingredients

• 4 (8 oz) beef top sirloin steaks, about 1 inch thick
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 large sweet potato
• 4 cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, mix together 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons minced cilantro, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper. In a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag, marinate the steaks in the prepared marinade for at least 30 minutes up to overnight. Preheat an outdoor grill or oven safe skillet to medium high heat. Grill or sear the steaks until desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Allow the steaks to rest before slicing them. In a large bowl, combine the spinach and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Wrap the mixture in dampened cheesecloth and microwave it for 2 minutes or until the spinach wilts. Unwrap and let it cool. Cut the mozzarella cheese into thin slices. Arrange them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Broil the cheese until melted and bubbly, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Boil or steam the sweet potato until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and return to the pot. Add 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and minced garlic. Mash until smooth. Assemble: Slice the steaks into strips and arrange them on a platter. Top with the melted mozzarella cheese slices. Serve the mashed sweet potatoes in a separate bowl, accompanied by the Parmesan spinach mixture.

Chef’s Insight

The key to this recipe is marinating the steaks for an extended time, which ensures maximum flavor infusion and tenderness.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the spice levels in the marinade according to your preference.