Skip navigation

Make a Labor Day feast! 6 classy grilling recipes

Chef Michael Lomonaco shares his unique and tasty barbecue dishes

NBC News video
Grilling for a Labor Day feast
Sept. 3: Chef Michael Lomonaco sends off summer with tasty barbecue dishes: grilled flank steak, pork chops and more.

Today Show Kitchen

TODAY
updated 11:02 a.m. ET Sept. 2, 2007

It's not too late to celebrate the end of the season with a delicious grilled meal. Send off summer with Chef Michael Lomonaco's unique and tasty barbecue dishes:  Mango Barbecue Marinated & Grilled Flank Steak, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, Roasted Corn Salad and more:

Mango Barbecue Marinated & Grilled Flank Steak
Michael Lomonaco

INGREDIENTS

1 ripe mango or two fresh peaches
1/2 cup good BBQ sauce** : or store bought
1/4 cup red wine
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
3 pounds Flank Steak
Several green onions, chopped
Optional: 2 tablespoons hot sauce

Recipe continues below ↓
advertisement


DIRECTIONS

Peel mango or peaches, cut in two and discard pit.

Cut fruit into chunks and place in a blender. Add BBQ sauce, red wine, soy sauce and honey to the fruit in blender and puree together.

Place flank steak into a glass baking dish and pour half Mango BBQ sauce over the steak, allow to marinate, refrigerated, for 1-2 hours. Reserve remaining sauce for a table condiment.

Prepare an outdoor grill. Place marinated flank steak over hot coals and grill about 4 – 5 minutes on each side, remove and rest for 5 minutes before slicing across the grain.

Serve with chopped scallions scattered over the top and the reserved mango bbq sauce.

MANAGE YOUR RECIPES


Shirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
Michael Lomonaco

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds skirt steak
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 large ripe tomatoes cut into wedges
1 small Bermuda onion, thinly sliced
1 bunch watercress, washed and dried, and coarsely chopped

Chimichurri sauce

1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 small bunch flat leaf parsley, picked and chopped
1 small white onion, diced, about 1/4 cup
2 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon smoked Spanish paprika
1 teaspoon dry oregano
sea salt
black pepper
Optional:
soft flour tortillas, tomato salsa, hot sauce, sour cream

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all the chimichurri ingredients in blender and pulse for 1 minute, and set aside. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, and taste. The chimichurri may be prepared three days in advance and refrigerates well. Kept refrigerated it will last for up to a week.

2. Pound the skirt steak flat with a meat tenderizer, marinate with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, some crushed garlic cloves and sprigs of parsley and refrigerate for several hours.

3. Cook the skirt steaks: Preheat a grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat for a minute before adding 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season the skirt steak with kosher salt and sear the first side for 2- 3 minutes before turning to cook the second side. Cook to the desired degree of doneness. Remove and allow to rest.

4. Serve by slicing the skirt steaks into thin slices, always cutting the steaks across the grain of the meat for maximum tenderness. Place the sliced steak on a platter and drizzle chimichurri sauce over the top.

5. The sliced skirt steak is perfect when served with sliced tomato, onion and watercress.

MANAGE YOUR RECIPES


Michael's Black Coffee Barbecue Sauce
Michael Lomonaco

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup very strong black coffee, espresso preferred
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 onion, peeled and chopped, about 1 cup
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
2 tablespoons dark molasses
3 fresh hot chili peppers, such as jalapeño, or hotter if desired, seeded
2 tablespoons hot dry mustard mixed with 1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons chili powder

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.  Cool, then puree in a blender or food processor until smooth.  This can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in a covered container.

Yield:  1-1/2 cups 

MANAGE YOUR RECIPES