OK…here we go. I’m about to reveal one of my secret indulgences. Ugh. This is the part of blogging I really struggle with…
So, a while back, I heard that there was this “not terribly hard to look at” actor on some show called, “True Blood” who was part Armenian. So, being the ever proud Armenian girl that I am, I figured it was my civic duty to check him out. And…I did. Now, if you know me at all, you know I abhor violent shows and movies. Really, I do. I barely watch TV at all, but when I do, you can be sure that someone is either cooking something, two people are about to fall in love or George Stephanopoulos is updating me on world events beyond my kitchen. So, the fact that I watch True Blood with my hands mostly covering my eyes should tell you something. But, I still watch. There is something about that hour of complete suspense, dotted with some gorgeous vampires, fairies, witches and wolves (did I really just say that?) that has me tuning in every Sunday. (I’m kind of cringing right now because my friends who know me are probably slack-jawwed at the moment).
Anyway, if you’re secretly (or not so secretly) a fan of True Blood, I’ve got something amazing for you to eat while watching the season premiere! This Vampire Steak is loaded with garlic and a touch of spicy pimenton (smoked Spanish paprika). The Fairy Fries are thin, crisp match sticks bursting with flavor from lemon, rosemary and a crunchy coarse salt. These fries are addicting! I can’t promise you this steak will keep the vampires away, but with all that garlic, it may keep a few humans away!
Vampire Steak and Fairy Fries
Vampire Steak
8 – 10 cloves of garlic, minced
2 teaspoons hot pimenton (smoked hot Spanish paprika)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 large rib eye steaks about 1 1/2 inches thick (or 4 smaller rib eyes)
Fairy Fries
2 large russet potatoes, washed and scrubbed
zest of one large lemon
1 – 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons salt (I use Himalayan Pink Sea Salt…but use what you like)
canola oil for frying
Special equipment: A mandolin to julienne the potatoes (you can do it by hand, but you’ll get better results with the mandolin) and a deep fryer (you can use a deep skillet on the stove as well…the deep fryer just makes things easier)
Combine the garlic, pimenton, salt and olive oil in a small bowl. Dividing the mixture evenly, rub a bit all over each steak, covering them completely. Place the steaks in a zipper bag or on a dish. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour, but longer is even better.
Remove your steaks from the refrigerator about 15 to 20 minutes before grilling. Preheat your grill to get it as hot as you can. Place the steaks on the hottest part of the grill to get a nice char. Leave it alone for about 4 to 5 minutes. Give them a flip and continue to cook for about 5 – 6 minutes. Once done, remove the steaks from the grill onto a platter tented with some foil. Allow them to sit for at least 5 minutes before serving.
To prepare the Fairy Fries, combine the lemon zest, rosemary leaves and salt in a small bowl and set aside. Fill your deep fryer according to manufacturer directions with canola oil. If you are using a skillet, fill it to about 2″ deep with canola. Heat the oil to 350 degrees. Cut about 1/2″ end off of a potato. Using the julienne blade on a mandolin, place the cut side of the potato down and cut just enough to make a small batch in your fryer. Once cut, use paper towels and blot the cut potatoes dry. Put them in your deep fryer basket and lower into the oil. Fry for about 3 minutes, while stirring to separate every once in a while with a fork or chopstick. Remove from the oil, dump onto a paper towel lined plate and sprinkle with a bit of the lemon mixture. Continue this process in batches until you’ve gone through both potatoes.
Serve the steak with the fries and some greens.
Notes:
- The Vampire Steak was inspired by Cooking Light’s Vampire Steak.
- The Fairy Fries were adapted from April Bloomfield’s Rosemary Straw Potatoes with Lemon Salt, from Cooking with Jamie by Jamie Oliver.
- If you cannot find pimenton in your grocery store, you can use any smoked paprika. You can also order pimenton on Amazon.
More Sookie Stackhouse Inspired Recipes…
Caroline Bellefleurs Chocolate Cake from Sugar Dish Me
Sookie’s Chicken Casserole from Sugar Dish Me
*Disclosure: This post contains links to The Taste Love & Nourish Marketplace. The Marketplace is part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. I only include products I believe in. Ordering them through this Marketplace doesn’t cost you anything extra. I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items, which helps me to fund this site and continue sharing recipes with you.
This steak looks INCREDIBLE!!! Seriously a beautiful dinner plate going on there. And your little fries– oh my goodness they look super crisp and awesome. Like I wanna fill up a paper bag with them and eat them RIGHT NOW.
Thanks for linking up to my favorite Sookie Stackhouse recipes!! I have a whole book full- I need to cook my way through it!
Thank YOU, Heather, for letting me share those yummy recipes of yours! I’ve got to get those books and start reading!
Hi Caroline.
I loved your post! The food looks amazing and I must admit that I too love the gorgeous vampires and other supernaturals on True Blood. Yes, it’s gritty at times, but I just deal because it’s worth it.
Love you blog too.
Teresa
So glad to hear from someone who loves that show too! Makes me feel like less of a freak! ;) Thanks for your sweet compliments! You made my day!
I LOVE True Blood. Unfortunately I don’t have HBO so I’m always a season behind. That being said, I’m so excited to get disc one as soon as we finish Game Of Thrones Season 2 ( another good, albeit bloody show). Maybe I’ll have to make these steak and fries when we watch the first episode :)
Hi Des! Glad to hear I’m not the only one! I’ve heard Game of Thrones is really great…I need to watch that too! Let me know if you make this…I’d love to know how you like it! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hey Caroline,
Your images are very beautiful. We would be more than happy to publish them on World in a Cupcake if you wish to submit them.
That is one mouth watering plate of food! You should try the Sookie Stackhouse books. They’re kind of vapid but they’re a fun beach read.
Awww…thanks Jen! I’ve heard that about the books…I’ll have to check them out. Wait…so does this mean you’re secretly a fan too? ;)
Looks fantastic. Anything that reminds me of the Nord gets my blood going! And don’t you feel better now that you’ve let it all out?…
Hahaha…Jenny…you’ve got me laughing! Thanks so much…but…ummm…no…I’d have to say I still feel like cringing! ;)
I am really not into that show, but this meal looks amazing and delicious! I also love your pictures!!! So beautiful!! :-)
Thanks so much Sarah! I’m really glad you liked it!
I’ve been using smoky pimeton for years. It’s great to see more and more people using it. It imparts a nice smokey flavor to whatever it’s combined with. And yet I’ve never thought to put it on a steak. Will just have to try it…as though I needed another reason for steak.
I love that smokey flavor too David! It’s not overpowering, it’s really mellow and nice. I hope you have a chance to make this! Let me know how you like it. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
Wow–this looks amazing! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Thanks a bunch Deanna! I’m so glad you like it! :)
hahahaha! You are so funny! I’ve never watched the show but I’ve heard a lot about it. I think I may just have to check it out. Love the ingredients in this steak recipe and the title is a hoot! Great pictures Caroline. Makes me want to reach in and sneak a “bite”. :)
A bite? Hahahaha! I love your sense of humor, Karista! Do me a favor and don’t check out the show! I don’t want you to think I’m a whackadoo! Seriously though…thank you for the sweet compliments!
That’s too funny because I watch too – embarrassed to admit since sometimes its so stupid yet I continue to be drawn in.
Oh, thank you…I’m so glad it’s not just me! :)