Steak Salad with Peppers and Blue Cheese

This is the first of my "New Year - New You" salad recipe posts.  This is my first because it is my favorite!  It has a bit of everything....grilled steak, crisp salad greens, carmalized onions,  dried cranberries and tangy blue cheese!  Very easy and super simple to make! 

STEAK SALAD WITH PEPPERS & BLUE CHEESE 

FOR SALAD:

• 5 cups mixed spring green salad mix (includes arugula)
• 2 red peppers sliced thin (about 1/2 thick)
• 1/2 to 1 red onion sliced into thin rings
• 1/2 cup chopped grape tomatoes
• handful of pitted kalamata olives
• 1/4 cup of dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup blue cheese ( or can substitute feta)
• 2 New York Strip steaks
• salt & pepper to taste
• olive oil for drizzling on steaks

1. Place lettuce in a large bowl or platter.  Set aside.
2. In a large skillet heat about 1/2 TB. olive oil.  Add red onions and peppers.  Saute until carmalized - about 10 minutes.  Add peppers and onions to lettuce in bowl.
3. Add tomatoes and kalamata olives to lettuce bowl.

4. In the meantime you can drizzle a bit of olive oil on either sides of steaks.  Season each side with salt and pepper.  Grill on a grill pan or outdoor grill until desired done-ness.
5. Slice steak into long strips and immediately add to top of the salad. 
6. Sprinkle feta cheese over steak.
7. Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.

FOR DRESSING:

• 1/2 cup balsalmic vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 TB. crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp. dijon mustard

• salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

TO PREPARE:

1. Place dijon mustard, balsalmic vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk.
2. Slow add the olive oil whisking until well blended.
3. Serve over salad