Ina Garten's Latest Cookbook of Go-To Dinners

Ina Garten's new cookbook, Go-To Dinners, goes back to the basics of preparing dinner. The pandemic caused Garten to cook straight forward, easy meals in her home kitchen, and the book provides recipes that you can prep, freeze, or quickly assemble to feed family and friends. Garten joins to talk simple home cooking and take your calls.

grilled porterhouse steak with rosemary & fennel

The difference between a porterhouse and a T-bone steak is that the porterhouse has a larger “filet”
portion than the T-bone so it’s a little more expensive. This is a luxurious dinner for a party and so
celebratory. I make the herbed oil in advance so all I need to do is grill the steak before dinner. This was
inspired by my favorite steak at Lilia in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

SERVES 4
1 (2-inch-thick) dry-aged porterhouse steak (2 to 2¼ pounds) (see note)
Good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons ground fennel

Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for one hour before you grill it.

Prepare a fire in a charcoal grill, mounding all the coals on one side of the grill to make a hot side and a
cool side. Brush the steak all over with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle it on both sides with 2
teaspoons salt. Sear the steak over the hot coals for 2 minutes on one side without moving it at all, then
turn the steak and sear the other side for 2 minutes. Transfer the steak to the cool side of the grill and
close the lid, making sure the vents are open so the fire doesn’t go out. Cook the steak for 10 to 12
minutes, until the internal temperature is 115 to 120 degrees for rare and 125 degrees for medium-rare.
Transfer to a plate to rest.

Meanwhile, prepare the herb oil. Place ¼ cup of olive oil and the garlic in a small saucepan. Place it over
medium-low heat and watch closely until the garlic starts to sizzle. Continue cooking for 15 to 30
seconds, until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned. Turn off the heat, add the rosemary, fennel,
1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper and set aside.

As soon as the steak comes off the grill, brush half of the herb oil on top, turn, and brush the rest on the
other side. Cover the plate with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Slice the steak and serve
warm.

PREP AHEAD
Pat LaFrieda’s dry-aged porterhouse steaks, which you can order online, are amazing.