Bistecca Fiorentina

A recipe that epitomizes the rustic simplicity of Tuscan cuisine, bistecca fiorentina, or Italian-style T-bone steak, is perfect for sharing. Though it’s usually prepared on an outdoor grill, many of us don’t have year-round access to one, so we came up with this indoor method. It is traditionally topped only with a bit of high-quality olive oil, but here we add a pat of Chianti Butter for extra indulgence. Serve it on a bed of arugula alongside some roasted potatoes and broccoli rabe.

What to buy:
You’ll have to special-order this steak, because it isn’t a typical cut. Order a 2-1/2- to 3-inch-thick porterhouse that weighs in at 2 1/2 to 3 pounds. Traditionally, the meat comes from the Maremmana or Chianina oxen, but make do with whatever high-quality meat your butcher can get for you.

Game plan:
If you have an outdoor grill and want to be authentic, cook this over a very hot flame. If not, try our unconventional method in which you cook the steak directly on the rack of a very hot oven. The onions, placed under the steak, serve only to absorb the meat’s drippings so that your oven doesn’t get smoky; don’t try to eat them—they’ll be charred and bitter.

While a true Tuscan will insist that this dish should only be eaten very rare, or sanguinoso, we know that most people stateside are squeamish about such things. For that reason, we have timed the cooking for medium rare, but stop cooking at 120°F if you are willing to eat the steak rare.

This recipe was featured in our Valentine’s Day story.