Rush Hour Gourmet: Teriyaki Steak, Snow Pea and Shiitake Salad

With today's meat-on-the-side, vegetables-in-the-middle sensibility, it's time for an update on the steak dinner.

Slice that steak thin and mix it with vegetables for a beautiful main-course salad.

nolead begins

For the steak:

3 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 pound flank steak, 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick

For the salad:

Kosher salt

6 ounces snow pea pods

3 tablespoons olive oil

8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, 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 grated

2 small carrots, grated

2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar

2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (toasted in a dry skillet until fragrant, browned; cooled)

1. For the steak: Combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar in a zip-top bag. Add the steak and seal, pressing out as much air as possible. Massage to coat evenly; refrigerate for 4 to 12 hours, turning occasionally if possible. Grill the steak to desired doneness. Cool to room temperature, then slice into 11/2- inch strips.

2. For the salad: Bring a medium pot of salted water to boil. Fill a bowl with cool water and ice cubes. Cook the snow peas in the boiling water for 1 minute. Drain, and transfer to ice-water bath. Cool for 5 minutes, drain and dry with paper towels. Cut pea pods lengthwise into 3 strips; place in a mixing bowl.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shiitakes; cook for 3 minutes. Add the onion and ginger; cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Transfer to the mixing bowl to cool.

4. Add the grated carrots, steak, 2 tablespoons of oil, vinegar, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of the sesame seeds. Toss to combine. Let stand 15 minutes; toss again. Taste, adjust seasoning, garnish with sesame seeds and serve.

Per serving: 230 calories, 20 g protein, 9 g carbohydrates, 13 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 40 mg cholesterol, 200 mg sodium, 4 g dietary fiber, 3 g sugar.