Simple steak heart of sensational salad

A simple flank, top round or sirloin steak, marinated in a soy sauce-based dressing and then broiled or grilled, is one of those easy, fast dishes that never seem to go out of style. With today’s meat-on-the-side, vegetables-in-the-middle sensibility taking hold, it’s time for an update.

That same steak, thinly sliced and mixed with snow peas, carrots and shiitake mushrooms, becomes a main-course salad that beautifully blends meat and vegetables.

The salad is best the day it’s assembled but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Teriyaki Steak, Snow Pea and Shiitake Salad

Servings: 4 to 6

Toast the sesame seeds in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat for several minutes, until fragrant and lightly browned. Cool before using.

For the steak:

3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

2 teaspoons light or dark brown sugar

1 pound top round, sirloin or flank steak, preferably 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick

For the salad:

Kosher salt

6 ounces snow pea pods

3 tablespoons mild olive or peanut oil

8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced into 1/4 -inch strips

1/2 medium sweet onion, finely chopped ( 1/2 cup)

1-ounce piece fresh ginger root, peeled and finely chopped or grated

2 small carrots, well scrubbed, then grated (4 ounces total)

2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar or sushi vinegar

2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon toasted white or black sesame seeds

Combine the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil and sugar in a gallon-size zip-top bag. Add the steak and seal, pressing out as much air as possible. Massage through the bag to coat evenly. Refrigerate for 4 to 12 hours, turning the bag over every few hours if possible.

Broil or grill the steak to medium-rare or to the desired doneness. Cool to room temperature, then thinly slice into strips about 1 1/2 inches long.

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat. Fill a bowl with cool water and ice cubes.

Lightly salt the boiling water, then add the snow peas and cook for 1 minute. Drain, immediately transferring the snow peas to the ice-water bath. Cool for 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry with paper towels. Cut each snow pea pod lengthwise into 2 or 3 strips (discarding the strings) and place in a mixing bowl.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive or peanut oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shiitake strips; cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the mushrooms wilt. Add the chopped onion and the ginger; cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the onion starts to soften. Transfer the vegetables to the mixing bowl to cool.

Add the grated carrots and sliced steak, along with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, the vinegar, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of the sesame seeds. Toss to combine thoroughly. Let stand 15 minutes, then toss again. Taste, and adjust the seasoning as needed. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with the remaining teaspoon of sesame seeds and serve.