NY Strip Steak w/ Hoisin Steak Sauce

My brain is fried. I keep trying to catch up on homework/studying and I just feel like I'm falling farther and farther behind. Nothing is late, thank goodness, but it sure it putting me under pressure with these last minute papers and tests. I guess it's pretty much all my fault... I've become quite the procrastinator in the past months. I need to start getting in a strict regimen of things again, but I digress.

This steak was absolutely tasty, it was a perfectly refreshing meal.

Ingredients:
Adapted from Bon Appetit's January 2010 issue 'Grass-Fed Strip Steak w/ Spicy Hoisin Sauce and Cucumber Relish

1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra
2 shallots, thinly sliced
small handful fresh cilantro, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger, divided
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 English cucumber, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
2 NY strip steaks
2 onions, thickly sliced
salt and pepper to taste

To make the steak sauce, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan under medium high heat. Add the shallows, cilantro, garlic, 1 tablespoon of the ginger, and crushed red pepper. Saute for about 5 minutes. The sauce wasn't as spicy as I'd like it to have been, so if you're wanting some spiciness, I'd suggest adding more red pepper here.

Add the chicken stock, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 more minutes. Turn heat off and stir in honey. Set sauce aside.

To make a quick relish side, mix cucumber, remaining ginger, and rice vinegar in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Place oven broiler on high.

For the steaks, simply rub both sides of steaks with olive oil. Gently brush on some of the steak sauce on both sides of the steaks as well. Broil steaks on top rack of oven for about 4-5 minutes were side for a nice medium rare. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest.

Meanwhile, brush the onion rounds with olive oil. Broil these guys for about 4-5 minutes, until they're soft and charred.

Thinly slice the steak and serve with remaining steak sauce, onion rings, and relish.

This was completely delicious. It was a simple meal, but it was so balanced. Didn't leave us feel bloated or tired. The relish really "wakes" you up in a sense. It's a great accompaniment to the steak and onions! Enjoy!