Ingredients

  • 2 oranges, peels removed in large strips and reserved
  • 1 cup bourbon
  • 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 pounds hanger steak
  • Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
  • Vegetable oil
  • Bourbon Creamed Spinach, recipe follows
  • 4 pretzel rolls, buttered and griddled
  • 1 small red onion, sliced and soaked in ice water for 15 minutes
  • Two 10-ounce boxes frozen spinach, thawed
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped, about 1 cup
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups grated smoked gouda cheese

Method

  • For the glaze: Add the orange peel, bourbon, cherry juice and some black pepper to a small saucepan.
  • Simmer until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 10 minutes.
  • Your pot may flambe from the bourbon, don't worry- just wait until the alcohol burns off.
  • Once reduced, turn off the heat and whisk in the butter.
  • Sprinkle the steak liberally with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add a light coat of oil and place the steak in the pan.
  • Cook the steak almost to desired doneness, depending on thickness, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
  • Turn off the heat and glaze the steak on all sides in the pan while flipping.
  • Remove the steak from the pan to rest.
  • For the sandwich build: Pile some Bourbon Creamed Spinach on the bottom piece of the pretzel roll.
  • Thinly slice the steak against the grain and place on top of the spinach.
  • Top with some red onions and finish with the top of the roll.
  • Repeat for the remaining sandwiches.
  • Strain the thawed spinach in a colander and squeeze liquid out with a towel.
  • Melt the butter in a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the garlic and onions, season with salt and pepper and cook until onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and add the bourbon.
  • Stir to combine, turn heat back on to medium and simmer 1 minute.
  • Add the cream, and cook until the cream is reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the cheese and cook until melted, and then mix in the spinach to combine.
  • Cover and cook over low heat until the spinach is tender, 8 to 10 minutes, and then season with salt and pepper.