Grilled Steak, Vegetable and Quinoa Salad - More Veggies But Also Meat!

The salad sandwiches were wonderful but sometimes a gal just needs to also have some meat. I frequently make salads of grilled vegetables and steak but with salad greens. Here is a version that uses quinoa and lentils so you get extra protein and extra fiber! Fiber is good. We like fiber. It helps offset all the meat consumption. You know what I mean.

Mangia!

Grilled Steak, Vegetable and Quinoa Salad

Adapted from Epicurious

For the quinoa salad:

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 cups cooked quinoa

1 cup cooked French lentils

1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh dill

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano

For the yogurt dressing:

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

3 tablespoons tahini

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the grilled steak and vegetables:

1 large fennel bulb, trimmed, sliced lengthwise into 1/4" planks, fronds reserved for serving

1 pint cherry tomatoes

12 scallions, roots trimmed (about 2 bunches)

Olive oil (for brushing)

1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided, plus more

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided, plus more

1 pound flank or skirt steak

1 teaspoon ground cumin

PREPARATION

Make the quinoa salad:

Whisk oil, vinegar, honey, and salt in a large bowl. Add quinoa, lentils, dill, and oregano and stir to combine. Set aside.

Make the yogurt dressing:

Whisk yogurt, lemon juice, tahini, oil, salt, and 1 Tbsp. water in a small bowl. Set aside.

Grill the vegetables and steak and assemble the salad:

Prepare a grill or grill pan for medium-high heat. Brush fennel, tomatoes, and scallions with oil and season with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until tender and charred in spots, 10–15 minutes; let cool. If using Halloumi cheese, brush with oil and grill, turning occasionally, until charred and warmed through, about 2 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, rub steak with cumin, remaining 1/2 tsp. salt, and remaining 1/2 tsp. pepper. Grill until medium-rare, 5–7 minutes per side for flank steak, about 2 minutes per side for skirt steak. Let rest, then thinly slice against the grain.

Transfer quinoa salad to a large platter. Top with grilled vegetables and steak. Season with additional salt and pepper and top with fennel fronds. Serve immediately with yogurt dressing alongside.

Do Ahead

The yogurt dressing can be chilled for up to 3 days.