This month, I wanted to share a good, light summertime meal that is a go-to around my house – a steak salad!

This is one of those recipes you can really modify a lot and put your own twist on, but two things that I always use are filet mignon and lemon Dijon vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

• 2 6-ounce filets (for 2 salads)
• 2 romaine lettuce hearts
• 1 cucumber
• A few grape tomatoes
• 2-3 sweet peppers
• 2 carrots
• A few banana peppers (out of the jar)
• 1 ripe avocado
• Feta cheese (or any other kind you may like)

Instructions:

• Light up the grill for the steaks – while the grill is getting hot, I like to prep the rest of the ingredients.
• Let the filets sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes, and season with salt and pepper (or however you like).
• Wash the romaine heart, cut in half lengthwise, cut the ends off, then chop up the other direction.
• Peel and chop cucumber, slice tomatoes in half, chop sweet peppers however you like and julienne carrots.
• We’ll save the avocado and cheese for when the steak is resting.
• Prep the dressing:
  • Lemon Dijon vinaigrette:
    • ¼ C extra virgin olive oil
    • ¼ C freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
    • 2-3 tsp. cane sugar
    • ½ tsp. salt
    • Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
    • Add all ingredients above into a mason jar, put the lid on and shake it up!
• Once the grill is up to the right temperature, throw the steaks on – I usually do smaller filets directly over charcoal, and they should only take 10 minutes or so to get to a perfect medium rare. Just use a temperature probe to get to your desired temperature (or sear them on the stove and then finish in the oven – whatever works).
• While the steaks rest, cut your avocado in half and then into slices or chunks – however you prefer. Get your cheese and other fresh ingredients out.
• Build your salad – lettuce first, add the rest of your ingredients, then add that sliced filet mignon on top and drizzle the lemon Dijon vinaigrette all over the top – this makes for an awesome lighter meal that is perfect for a hot summer day!