Soy Marinated Flank Steak with Creamy Kale Peanut Noodles: The Ultimate Easy & Flavorful Date Night Meal
Soy Marinated Flank Steak with Creamy Kale Peanut Noodles is the “date night in” meal your date will never forget. The creamy kale peanut noodles make the perfect base for the sliced, umami-packed flank steak. This meticulously crafted dish is designed to elevate your home dining experience, proving that a truly memorable meal doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Imagine tender, umami-rich flank steak, perfectly grilled and infused with a savory soy marinade, paired with luxuriously creamy peanut noodles speckled with vibrant kale. This isn’t just dinner; it’s an experience, a moment of culinary bliss you can share without the stress. It’s the one jaw-dropping meal that you can make without wanting to pull your hair out!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Le Creuset. While I was compensated, as always, all opinions and the recipe are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!
Life has a remarkable way of accelerating, often leaving us feeling as though days blend into weeks and weeks into months. One moment it’s Monday, and in what feels like an instant, Friday has arrived, bringing with it the familiar sigh of relief after a demanding work week. It’s all too easy to fall into a routine where weekdays are consumed by work, leaving little time for anything beyond eating and collapsing into bed. In this whirlwind, we often overlook the profound importance of carving out moments to slow down and savor the simple pleasure of a well-prepared dinner.
A “date night in” can be the perfect antidote to this relentless pace, a cherished opportunity to reconnect and unwind without the hassle of reservations or crowded restaurants. This particular recipe for Soy Marinated Flank Steak with Creamy Kale Peanut Noodles was born from that very need – a desire to create a spectacular meal that feels effortlessly gourmet, allowing you to focus on each other, rather than the complexities of cooking. It’s about creating cherished memories and enjoying exceptional food in the comfort of your own home, making those weekdays feel a little less like a blur and a lot more meaningful.
With all the cooking I do, you would think those date nights would be any ol’ night.
However, with all the catching up and getting back into the swing of things after our trip to Europe, my partner and I have been more concerned with simply getting some down time in before heading to bed each night. This past long weekend was exactly what I needed to remind me that it really is okay to put the work aside a little early every once in a while in favor of some quality alone time with your significant other. It’s a vital ingredient for a healthy relationship and a happy life, often overlooked in our fast-paced society. Prioritizing these moments helps us recharge, reconnect, and appreciate the quieter joys of life.
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That is exactly what inspired this meal! Technically, it was the desperate need to take time for ourselves during the week, combined with the desire to make a dinner that’s perfectly portioned for two, with some guaranteed leftovers for lunch the next day. This recipe became our ideal solution: a harmonious blend of sophisticated flavors and straightforward preparation, ensuring that our “date night in” was both delicious and truly relaxing.
My inspiration for this incredible dish struck during a memorable trip to Fate Brewing Company, as part of my 48-Hour Foodie Guide: Beer Lover’s Guide to Boulder. There, I had a soy-marinated hanger steak served alongside cold peanut noodles that was an absolute revelation. The steak was unbelievably tender, practically melting in my mouth, while the cold, creamy peanut noodles provided a magnificent contrast to the deep, savory umami flavors of the meat. The moment I saw my partner’s eyes widen with delight after his first bite, I knew immediately that I had to bring that magic home. This wasn’t just a meal; it was a symphony of textures and tastes that lingered long after the last bite, compelling me to recreate it.
This dish is ideal to make for two people, especially when you have the right tools to make it with, ensuring both efficiency and culinary perfection. It’s a testament to how easily a restaurant-quality meal can be achieved in your own kitchen.
Enter the Le Creuset Braising Dish with Grill Pan Lid.
Honestly, can we talk about how brilliant it is to have any dish with a grill pan lid? This innovative design is a true game-changer in the kitchen. Forget having a bunch of single-purpose lids taking up precious space in your cabinets that you’ll only use every once in a while! With this Le Creuset match-up, you get two incredibly versatile dishes in one, plus a perfectly fitting lid. You have a deep braising dish for simmering those rich sauces and noodles, and a durable grill pan lid for achieving that perfect sear on your marinated flank steak. With the renowned quality of Le Creuset’s enameled cast iron cookware, these are the kind of dishes you want to stock your cabinets with. They’re built to last for generations, making them a worthwhile investment that will be cherished for a good long time.
Not to mention, having a burst of color in the kitchen brings a little more fun and vibrancy into the whole cooking process! Le Creuset’s iconic hues add an aesthetic appeal that makes cooking even more enjoyable, turning functional pieces into decorative accents.
The marinade for this steak is my favorite marinade of the summer so far. It’s full of rich and deep flavors, thanks to the harmonious blend of soy sauce, garlic, hoisin, sesame oil, black pepper, and fresh lime juice. You really get that true “umami” flavor that’s impossible to describe in any other way except for utterly DELICIOUS. This marinade not only infuses the flank steak with incredible taste but also helps tenderize the meat, ensuring a succulent result. The creamy peanut noodles with fresh, vibrant kale are a rich and satisfying base that complements the savory steak perfectly, creating a balanced and harmonious meal. I highly recommend eating it all warm, fresh off the stove for the ultimate comfort!
Of course, if you enjoy cold noodles (or are adventurous enough to give them a try), the peanut noodles totally work well served chilled, offering a refreshing twist. Simply serve the warm, perfectly grilled steak on top of the noodles, and be prepared for a whole new level of date night happiness. The contrast in temperatures and textures only enhances the dining experience, making each bite an exciting discovery.
Pair this exquisite meal with a refreshingly bright green tea cocktail, which beautifully cuts through the richness of the dish, or a glass of your favorite sake for an authentic Asian-inspired pairing. A light-bodied red wine, such as a Pinot Noir, would also be a fantastic choice to complement the savory notes of the steak.
tools for marinated flank steak
When you slice into a perfectly cooked steak, having the right equipment is non-negotiable for both safety and presentation. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this Shun Chef’s Knife is truly the only knife you need. Its exceptional sharpness allows for effortless, clean cuts through the flank steak, ensuring beautiful, even slices that enhance the dining experience. Investing in a high-quality chef’s knife makes all your cooking tasks more efficient and enjoyable.
A Premium Organic Bamboo Extra Large Cutting Board is also essential for slicing up everything from fresh kale to the final cooked steak. Its extra-large surface ensures you never run out of room, allowing you to prep multiple ingredients without making a mess. The bamboo surface is also kind to your knife blades, helping them stay sharper for longer, making this a durable and practical addition to your kitchen arsenal.
Unfortunately, the specific oval oven with grill pan lid that I initially used for this recipe is no longer in stock, a testament to its popularity! However, this oval oven is still available and is a fantastic alternative for preparing the noodles and sauce. For the steak, you can simply use your outdoor grill or a high-quality, separate grill pan to achieve those perfect char marks and desired doneness. The key is to have reliable heat, which any good Le Creuset piece will provide, whether it’s for braising, simmering, or searing.
Soy Marinated Flank Steak with Creamy Kale Peanut Noodles
ingredients
- 1 16 ounce hanger steak
- 1/2 bunch kale
- 11 ounces fresh udon noodles
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp hoison sauce
- Dash of sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tsp Sriracha
- 1/2 tsp fish sauce
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- Garnish: chopped scallions sesame seeds, chili flakes
instructions
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In a large ziplock bag, combine soy sauce, garlic, hoison sauce, sesame oil, black pepper and lime juice for the marinade. Add steak and turn to coat in the marinade. Let rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
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Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Blanch kale for approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from boiling water to a large bowl filled with cold water. Set aside.
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Heat grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove steak from marinade and grill until desired doneness. I recommend approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium rare. Remove from heat and rest 15 minutes before slicing.
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While the steak is cooking, add sesame oil, soy sauce, Sriracha, fish sauce, and peanut butter for the noodles in a braising dish or oval oven dish. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce come together. Drain kale and add to the sauce. Stir in noodles.
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Cook noodles and kale in the sauce for approximately 2 to 3 minutes, over medium-low heat.
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Serve sliced steak over creamy noodles with kale immediately. Garnish with chopped scallions, sesame seeds and, if you want a little extra heat, chili flakes.