beef satay with ramp pesto

Come early spring I usually pick up a few bunches of ramps and make pesto. The best part is storing small batches in freezer-safe containers to use year round. I've actually made this pesto multiple times -- incorporating it into potato salads or with pasta -- so it's nothing groundbreaking. However, the idea of ramp and meat is something more foreign to my palette, which is odd considering my love for both things on their own. So this recent pairing of ramp pesto and beef satay came about during a weekend visit to the local butcher (side note: I'm all for scouting out more of these locations) where I picked up some sirloin and decided on a lighter alternative by preparing the meat in the form of satay.  A few minutes later, and I was consuming mouthfuls of fresh ramp pesto with lightly seasoned and seared satay.  The pesto, with its subtle garlic flavor, combined with thinly sliced dark meat were the perfect marriage -- contrasting yet completely well-balanced.  So if you're craving dark meat, but want something on the lighter side, try this alternative for a light, fuss-free weekday meal.

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Beef Satay with Ramp Pesto makes 8-10 1 pound sirloin tip steak, thinly sliced, against the grain (you can have the butcher do this for you) Salt and pepper, to taste 6-12 satay skewers Red chili flakes, optional

1-2 bunches of fresh ramps 1 cup of pine nuts 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan 1/4 cup olive oil Sea salt and pepper to taste

What you'll need Food processor Small jar to store remaining pesto

Prepare ramp pesto in a food processor by combining all ingredients -- ramp, pine nuts, parmesan, olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Pulse until it is a thick paste-like consistency.  Transfer pesto to a hinge-lid jar.  Set aside.

Skewer meat, then lightly season both sides of with salt and pepper.  Heat a large frying pan on place prepared satay in the pan and sear both sides until browned.  Remove from heat, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, optional.

Plate skewers with a few spoonfuls of pesto in a small condiments bowl.  Dip skewers in pesto.  Enjoy!