Robert Irvine's Simple Tip For Flavorful Steak Salads

There's nothing like a well-executed steak salad. The tender, flavorful greens; the hot, juicy beef; a great dressing ... it's the perfect meal for any time of day, or time of year for that matter. Static Media, parent company of Foodie, was lucky enough to chat with celebrity chef Robert Irvine at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, and picked his brain about the secret to a tasty steak salad. The "Restaurant: Impossible" star divulged that there's one key ingredient he always suggests for steak salad, and one surprising one that he leaves out.

When asked what was the best cheese pairing for a steak salad, Irvine made the stunning confession that he eschews the traditional blue cheese crumbles. "I think it's balsamic [vinegar]," he declared, when talking about the key ingredient to enliven even the best-cooked, juiciest steak. His explanation? "Because you need something to cut through the fat."

Real balsamic vinegar is so precious that it typically costs tens of dollars per ounce. Yes, this means that the stuff you find on the grocery store shelf is likely to be fake. In contrast, real, DOP-certified balsamic vinegar, like this one from The Balsamic Guy, is exquisitely tasty. Irvine insists that this true balsamic is what you need in your steak salad. Not only does it taste great on its own, he says, but it "actually makes the steak taste better because it's got a little bit more salt in it. And everything with salt brings the flavor out."

When pressed on the cheese question — if not blue, maybe a different variety, like parmesan? — Irvine was firm. "No cheese, no," he stated definitively. The balsamic does the heavy lifting for adding salt, acid, and sweetness to your steak salad. Not only does it pair well with salad greens, but it makes grilled meats sing as well. In other words, it is a natural partner for your steak salad, no matter what else you put in the bowl. As a bonus, balsamic vinegar is a lot easier to store than any cheese type, including blue and parm.

Robert Irvine's fourth cookbook, "Family Table," focuses both on delicious meals and how families can come together around the dinner table as a result. Kids and adults alike can participate in cooking and enjoying a steak salad, with ingredients simple enough for children to help prepare and flavor that the whole family will love.