Grilled Marinated Skirt Steak With Fabio's Grandma's Polenta

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 lbs. skirt steak, cut into 4 (6-oz. pieces)
• 6 Tbsp. Bertolli® Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
• 10 fresh sage leaves
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed
• 1/2 bunch fresh rosemary
• 4 to 5 large cloves garlic
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup medium-grain yellow polenta
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 package (4 oz.) cream cheese, cut into chunks
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme

Directions

1. Trim fat from skirt steak, leaving a little for flavor. Place in baking dish and drizzle with 2 tablespoons Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
2. Finely chop sage, thyme, and rosemary and 2 cloves garlic. Add to steak and marinate 10 minutes.
3. For polenta, heat 2 tablespoons Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil and 2 to 3 cloves chopped garlic in skillet until golden brown. Add heavy cream and season with salt and fresh ground black pepper; let reduce. Add water. Add polenta, stirring as you add. As it thickens, whisk in Parmesan and cream cheese. Continue stirring 5 to 10 minutes until thick and creamy.
4. Pour finished polenta on a platter or clean cutting board and top with additional Parmesan cheese if desired, and drizzle with 2 tablespoons Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
5. Season steaks with salt and fresh ground black pepper and place in hot 12-inch skillet over high heat. Cook steak to desired doneness.
6. Plate steak and arrange polenta on edge of meat. Garnish with sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme and top with fresh ground black pepper.

• Recipe courtesy of Fabio Viviani, owner and Executive Chef of Cafe Firenze in Moorpark, California and Frienze Osteria Italian Restaurant and Martini Bar in Toluca Lake, California.