Bridal Shower Recipes: Penne with Beef & Arugula

This dish was absolutely delicious the day we made it but I think it lost something overnight.  It didn’t refrigerate super well and I would suggest serving this dish the day you make it.

Only a couple of minor notes.  We cooked the strip steak in a grill pan brushed with olive oil.  We used baby arugula rather than regular arugula because I like the flavor better.

I plan to make this dish again for a summer picnic at Tanglewood.

Penne with Beef and Arugula
Giada De Laurentiis

*  1 (1-pound) New York strip steak
* 1 teaspoon herbs de Provence
* 1 garlic clove, minced
* 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons
* 1 pound penne pasta
* 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
* 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
* 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for steak and pasta water
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for steak
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
* 2 cups chopped arugula

Season the steak with salt and freshly ground black pepper, herbs de Provence, and minced garlic. In a skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Cook steak about 7 minutes per side. Remove the meat from pan and let it rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice the steak. Set aside.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.

In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, fresh herbs, and 3/4 cup olive oil. In a large bowl toss the pasta with half of the salad dressing and the reserved pasta water. Add the arugula and steak, more dressing, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed. Toss, pack for the picnic, or serve.