Steak, Baked Ricotta, Pepperonata

Sunday Suppers at Lucques is a James Beard Foundation award-winning cookbook by Suzanne Goin, published in 2005. The actual name is, Sunday Suppers at Lucques – Seasonal Recipes from Market to Table.

I wanted to purchase one of her cookbooks just because she’s so highly revered as a chef, and all of her culinary endeavors have been highly acclaimed and successful.

Her first restaurant, Lucques, was opened in 1998. I’m a little behind getting to “know” this talented chef, but I don’t visit Los Angeles, so have missed out experiencing its famous dining spots. After all these years, Lucques is still a quintessential West Hollywood dining spot.

The cookbook is really fun. Although I pride myself on menu planning, Ms. Goin puts meals together for the reader. And they’re fun meals.

So the one I’m making for this post is Bistecca California with Peperonata, Baked Ricotta, and Lemon.

Doesn’t that sound incredible?

Here are the recipes for the elements of this fantastic Sunday supper!

Steak

3 pounds prime beef or steak of your choice
1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
1 teaspoon thinly sliced chiles de arbol
2 lemons, zested, then juiced
2 scant tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin oil
1 bunch arugula
2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Trim the beef, if necessary. Season with the rosemary, sliced chile, lemon zest, and cracked black pepper. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

An outside charcoal grill can be used to cook the steak(s). I opted for cooking my filet mignons in a skillet on the stove. They were cooked medium-rare.

Rest the steak(s) for 8 to 10 minutes. Spoon the hot Peperonata (recipe below) onto a large warm platter and scatter the arugula over the top.

Slice the steak against the grain and arrange it over the peppers.

Squeeze a generous amount of lemon juice over the meat, and drizzle it with a few tablespoons of oil. Serve the gratin dish of baked ricotta (recipe below) on the side.

Baked Ricotta

3 cups fresh whole milk ricotta cheese (1 1/3 lbs.)
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons thyme leaves
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon diagonally sliced chile de arbol
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the ricotta in a large bowl, and stir in 5 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon thyme, the chopped parsley, 1//2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Transfer the ricotta to an 8-inch gratin dish. Gently press the top of the cheese with your fingers to make slight indentations, and decorate the ricotta with the remaining thyme and the sliced chile.

Drizzle the remaining tablespoon olive oil over the top. Bake 30-40 minutes, until golden brown on top.

Peperonata

4 large sweet peppers (1 3/4 lbs.)
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cups sliced red onion
1 tablespoon thyme leaves
2 tablespoons capers, drained
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons oregano leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the stems, seeds, and membranes. Thinly slice the peppers lengthwise. Heat a very large sauté pan over high heat for 2 minutes. Swirl in 3 tablespoons olive oil and wait 1 minute. Add the onion, peppers, thyme, 1 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Sauté over high heat 5 to 6 minutes, tossing often, until the peppers soften. They should still have a little crunch to them but be tender.

Add the capers and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pan, cook another minute, and transfer the peppers to a shallow nonreactive dish.

Turn the heat off, add the vinegar, and reduce by half. Use a rubber spatula to scrape all the vinegar over the peppers. Add the oregano, and toss well to combine.

This was a really nice meal. I loved all of the aspects of it, but the lemon zest and rosemary on the steaks was a superb combination. I also added cayenne pepper flakes. And I will definitely make the baked ricotta again, even for an hors d’oeuvres platter.

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

44 Comments

  1. Michelle April 13, 2017 at 7:34 AM - Reply

    You’re right: It’s a lovely cookbook. Though some of the recipes are awfully fiddly.

    • chef mimi April 13, 2017 at 7:46 AM - Reply

      Good to know. I really like what she puts together in her menus. And the baked ricotta was heaven-sent!

  2. Tasty Eats Ronit Penso April 13, 2017 at 8:23 AM - Reply

    This looks like a very tasty and well balanced meal. :)

    • chef mimi April 13, 2017 at 8:43 AM - Reply

      All of the flavors and textures were fantastic.

  3. Linda Duffin April 13, 2017 at 9:03 AM - Reply

    I love the flavourings on those steaks, my mouth is watering so much as I read this, I may have to go off and eat a sandwich. Lovely combinations. Lx

    • chef mimi April 13, 2017 at 9:08 AM - Reply

      That was really a surprise to me. I don’t use much rosemary, but the combination was excellent. Might try orange zest next time.

      • Linda Duffin April 13, 2017 at 9:09 AM

        And the lemon juice … not generally used on steak but really makes the flavours pop. Yum.

  4. anotherfoodieblogger April 13, 2017 at 11:57 AM - Reply

    Wow that looks like a great meal! And the ricotta… WHOA!

    • ruthann1 April 13, 2017 at 1:32 PM - Reply

      I’ve been quite uninspired lately in my cooking, but after a rest from it, I’m ready to go again. You’ve given me a wonderful complete meal to try and I can’t wait. My husband will love this feast. Thank you!
      RuthAnn from inspiring cuisine.com

      • chef mimi April 13, 2017 at 1:45 PM

        Oh that’s exciting! These were really fun to put together and enjoy. You’ll definitely become reinspired!

  5. Liz @ spades, spatulas, and spoons April 13, 2017 at 1:44 PM - Reply

    That is one of my favorite cookbooks, I also found it very inspiring. The a.o.c. Cookbook by her is also fun. Have a wonderful Easter.

    • chef mimi April 13, 2017 at 1:46 PM - Reply

      Thank you! I should get it. Happy Easter!

  6. Gerlinde April 13, 2017 at 2:25 PM - Reply

    I have never heard of Suzanne Goin before but the food looks delicious, especially the ricotta dish.

    • chef mimi April 13, 2017 at 2:26 PM - Reply

      The baked ricotta was the most fun for me.

  7. Lisa @ cheergerm April 13, 2017 at 6:24 PM - Reply

    Delicious and how good does that baked ricotta look?

    • chef mimi April 13, 2017 at 6:25 PM - Reply

      As good as it tastes!!! I will be making that again!

  8. Healthy World Cuisine April 13, 2017 at 7:49 PM - Reply

    Thanks for introducing us to this recipe book. Everything looks delicious but really craving your steak. We love everything you cook…take care

  9. Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward April 13, 2017 at 11:03 PM - Reply

    No words (minus these!). :-)

  10. Ginger April 14, 2017 at 11:18 AM - Reply

    Now that’s a Sunday dinner and a half! It looks – and sounds! – absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing!
    Ginger x

  11. love in the kitchen April 14, 2017 at 4:05 PM - Reply

    Mimi – what a meal! And yes, it was the Baked Ricotta that stood out for me too. Beautiful!

    • chef mimi April 14, 2017 at 5:01 PM - Reply

      I will be making it again just for part of an hors d’oeuvres platter. Fresh herbs, olive oil, and chile peppers! It was fabulous!

  12. Cocoa & Lavender April 15, 2017 at 7:30 AM - Reply

    Mimi – you have made me want this cookbook just based on this meal you have prepared… so succulent!

  13. sippitysup April 15, 2017 at 7:44 PM - Reply

    This is a fabulous book and a gorgeous meal! And yes “after all these years, Lucques is still a quintessential West Hollywood dining spot”. I know because we went there not two weeks ago. GREG

  14. camparigirl April 15, 2017 at 7:44 PM - Reply

    Have been going to Lucques for nearly 20 years, and now to the Larder too. Suzanne is amazing!

  15. Sofia April 16, 2017 at 2:21 PM - Reply

    Oh wow, I want to come over for Sunday supper! That bakes ricotta must be stunning!

    • chef mimi May 7, 2017 at 8:26 PM - Reply

      I will definitely be making it again! It’s just a matter of adding a little olive oil and some herbs! Plus some chile peppers or cayenne pepper flakes. Brilliant!

  16. Julie is Hostess At Heart April 16, 2017 at 10:32 PM - Reply

    Just the thought of baked ricotta sounds amazing and boy I’d loved to had that dinner on my table!

    • chef mimi April 17, 2017 at 8:39 AM - Reply

      I will be making that again… It was really a wonderful surprise!

  17. StefanGourmet April 17, 2017 at 9:06 AM - Reply

    I’ve never thought of baking ricotta, or putting (a lot of) lemon juice on steak. Will have to try.

    • chef mimi April 17, 2017 at 10:06 AM - Reply

      The baked ricotta was superb. I actually didn’t put the lemon juice on the steak.

      • StefanGourmet April 17, 2017 at 10:56 AM

        Ah, I was wondering about that as it seemed like wasting the steak. The lemon zest I get, the juice not so much.

      • chef mimi April 18, 2017 at 6:42 AM

        The zest and rosemary on the steaks was surprisingly wonderful. But no, I probably should have tried it, but wet steaks sounds awful to me.

      • StefanGourmet April 18, 2017 at 12:47 PM

        The lemon juice would also clash with the wine, and we can’t have that, can we ;-)

      • chef mimi April 18, 2017 at 2:03 PM

        Absolutely!

  18. chefkreso April 18, 2017 at 4:32 AM - Reply

    The photos are amazing, reading the post made me so hungry :)

  19. Sprinkle of Charm October 18, 2019 at 9:05 AM - Reply

    This all looks so delicious! You have an amazing blog!!

    • chef mimi October 18, 2019 at 12:34 PM - Reply

      Aren’t you sweet. thank you!

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