Seared steak salad with cherry tomatoes, watercress & sikil pak

Method

• step 1

  Remove the steak from the fridge an hour before cooking and season generously with salt and pepper.

• step 2

  To make the sikil pak, toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry frying pan over a medium heat for 8-10 mins, or until most have popped and are looking golden. Transfer them to a powerful blender and blitz for a minute.

• step 3

  Toast the chillies in the same pan for 15-20 seconds on each side until smelling fragrant and nutty, trying not to burn them or they will taste bitter. Add to the blender and, keeping the pan hot, toast the cinnamon, fennel seeds, star anise and peppercorns for a minute or two until fragrant, then tip into the blender, along with the oregano or thyme. Whizz the whole lot for 10-20 seconds.

• step 4

  Add the tomatoes, garlic and onion to the frying pan. Increase the heat to high and dry-roast, turning occasionally with tongs, to char all over. The garlic will blacken in patches and become soft within 6-8 mins. Remove the garlic cloves from the pan, peel and add to the mixture in the blender. The onion will take another 5 mins, and the tomatoes another 5 on top of the onions – the charring will add a lovely smoky flavour to your sauce. Once charred, add to the blender with the vinegar, 3 tbsp of the oil, 2-3 tbsp water and 1 tsp salt, blitzing the sauce for 3-4 mins until the mixture is smooth.

• step 5

  Heat the remaining 1 tbsp oil in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. Add the sauce and cook for 10-15 mins, stirring frequently, to allow the ingredients to meld. Taste – you may need more salt and a touch more vinegar to bring out the flavours. It should taste spicy and beautifully aromatic. Thin down with a few splashes of water if necessary.

• step 6

  When you are ready to eat, heat a frying pan or griddle pan over a high heat for a few minutes until smoking hot. Add a knob of butter and a drizzle of oil and cook the steaks for a few minutes per side, depending how you like your steak. Rest for 5 mins somewhere warm.

• step 7

  Meanwhile, toss the watercress, tomatoes and spring onions in a bowl with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season with a little salt and pepper. Cut the steak into thin slices against the grain. Serve with the salad and the sikil pak either spooned onto warm plates or in a warm jug at the table. Warm new potatoes are a great addition. Serve at once.