I’m thinking about changing the name of the blog to Iowa Girl Eats steaks, ribs and other manly meals…
It’s a valid consideration seeing as how I’ve been seriously obsessed with all things grilled, barbecued and well, grilled and barbecued, this summer. 
If meals keep coming out tasting like this Flat Iron Steak with Salsa Verde, I don’t see the obsession sizzling out any time soon, either!
This recipe seriously blew Ben’s and my mind. Like, hard. “You knocked it out of the park with this one, Iowa Girl Eats!” he exclaimed. To which I replied, “Please don’t call me Iowa Girl Eats.” Awkward.
I started by seasoning a Flat Iron Steak with garlic salt, pepper & olive oil,
then wrapped it in plastic wrap and let it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes to marinate. Meanwhile, I pre-heated the grill to HIGH.
Then headed out!
To get a juicy, tender, medium-rare steak, I grilled on one side for 1 minute, with the lid down, then rotated the steak 45 degrees and cooked for 2 more minutes with the lid down.
Next I flipped the steak over and cooked for another minute with the lid down, flipped and grilled for an additional 3-4 minutes.
Then I let the steak rest for 7 minutes when it was done. This is a critical step for a tender, juicy steak! If you cut into it too early, all the juices run out and the texture is that of shoe leather. No thanks.
Finally I sliced my velvety, fork tender, uber-pink steak up with glee, nearly dying of anticipation…ok there was no anticipation, I gobbled down the first 3 slices I cut – holy buckets it was amaaaazing!
The zesty, zippy, incredible salsa verde I whipped up to dallop on top of my slices took it completely over the top!
This stuff was un-fracking-believable.
The recipe comes from The Food Network and I followed it to a T, except that I left out the Dijon mustard.
Ben has a finely tuned mustard-radar and even though the recipe only calls for 1/2 teaspoon of Dijon, I knew he’d taste it and declare the entire dish inedible. I didn’t miss it at all though!
“It honestly tastes like a tart-ass guacamole,” which is husband code for – OMG THIS IS GOOD!!!
On the side I served a simple salad of torn baby spinach, tomatoes, slivered red onion and sliced cucumbers. Dressed in a simple Italian vinaigrette, it complimented the steak & salsa exceptionally well.
Ugh I could seriously eat this every single night. I actually might re-create for the 4th! 
In other news, I’m in charge of bringing festive Jell-O shots to a party Ben and I are attending this weekend. One question – how do you make Jell-O shots? I have a crazy-cool idea on how to make them super festive for the 4th, but I need a recipe first…
How did I not learn these things in college??
Ok, off to do a million + 1 things tonight. Have a good evening!
~~~~~
What are you making for the 4th of July? Any recipes you’d like to share?
I don’t eat a ton of meat. Really, the only beef I like is a burger or filet. The rest just doesn’t do it for me.
To make jello shots, use 4 3 oz. packages of jello. Boil 1.5 cups of water and add it to the jello until it’s dissolved. Then, add in 3/4 cup vodka and 1/4 cup cold water and pour into whatever mold you like. Flavored vodkas are really good and I’ve also done multiple flavors of jello. YUM!
Haha, too cute that Ben calls you IGE!
That Salsa sounds amazing. Need to make asap! 
We love flat iron steak, always so tender you can cut it with a fork. When I make jell-o shots I just dissolve the jell-o in the hot water called for then replace the cold water with freezer chilled vodka, mix, pour into cups and chill in fridge to set.
Never eat meat. Might have to stop reading this blog because of the all the vibrant dead animal flesh on display
It’s lengthy digestion time and fat content might not be the best thing for buddha bellies, either–plus, there’s this:
“According to a study published by the American Cancer Society, people who eat 3 or more ounces of red meat per day, which is equivalent to the amount of meat in a hamburger, are 30-40% more likely to develop cancer in the lower part of the colon.” I know I probably sound like a preacher, but it’s worth knowing!
It helps me with my low iron, which is also why I like it.
Iron comes in pill form as well. Too much of a good thing and all!
I don’t think Kat was being “rude” – just making a statement and trying to educate you.
So … take it with a grain of Garlic Salt!
Wow, that was rude and uncalled for!
I meant kat was rude, not IGE!
I don’t think readers should be telling IGE what she should be eating! I think it’s hilarious that anyone would find the content of this blog offensive..
Hahaha love that he called you IGE!!!
Jello shots are so easy: prepare as directed but replace the cold water with COLD liquor(rum or vodka-preferably flavored)
Your meal looks divine!
I love me some steak! Jello shots are easy! Just get the little containers and prepare it as usual. 
Layer it in different colors to make it festive.
For the 4th, I’m making watermelon & feta salad… just posted it… ahhhhh-mazing!
A super cute way to do jello shots is to hollow out fruits like lemons and oranges, cut them in half, let the jello shot mixture set, then cut into wedges for serving. It looks cool to do contrasting colors of jello with the fruit colors too.
And obvs pour the jello mixture into the fruit halves to set before cutting into wedges. Left that out! Duh!
I’ve seen that in a magazine for regular jello before – it looks sooo cool. Great idea!
One of my friends make jello shots in orange and lime peels using mango vodka and orange or lime jello. Cute and delicious!
That steak looks amazing. For jello shots just replace the cold water with freezer chilled vodka. Use a mid range one like smirnoff or uv (I learned in college hawkeye vodka makes the shots burn a bit in the mouth and the fridge smells like rubbing alcohol). Wateremelon vodka with strawberry jello is good.
I like meat… a lot
That is funny, yet weird that Ben called you Iowa Girl Eats! I probably would’ve said the same thing. I am planning on making hot pockets at some point over the 4th of July weekend, recipe to come
I actually really like to use lime jello and then tequila for the cold liquid. I don’t even like tequila but these are delicious. I’ve also put a gummy bear in the bottom of each shot glass before pouring in the liquid. The gummy bear tends to absorb the alcohol and can create some great reactions when people bite into them.
Ah, jell-o shots – memories! In college I always replaced the second cup of water with vodka…
The best jello shots are orange jello with peach schnapps….taste just like a fuzzy naval. And the also make margarita and strawberry dacqueri jello now and I bet those would be great too….
Check out the Jelly Shot Test Kitchen (http://jelly-shot-test-kitchen.blogspot.com/). They have sooo many pretty jelly shots, I promise you won’t regret it…well, maybe if you make all of them…
HA! omg what a hilarious site!
That salsa verde looks amazing! I think I see it in my menu plan soon!
And for jello shots – like everyone else says replace the cold water with alcohol. I’ve done Malibum Rum with a tropical jello flavor that go over well.
A couple of people hit on it but think of fun flavor combos. Lime & tequila. Coconut rum and pineapple jello. Also you don’t need fancy booze but stay away from Hawkeye
For jello shots I just follow the regular recipe but substitute 1/3 of the water with vodka. Yum!
You and Ben crack me UP! I’m pretty sure I would be a constant fit of laughter if I were ever around you.
I just saw this on foodgawker this morning : )
http://www.bakersroyale.com/holiday/fourth-of-july-dessert-jello-shots/
They look a bit tricky, but pretty festive!
My husband would love this dinner, we have no big plans for the fourth, so I might have to make this myself on the fourth too!
Y’all crack me up!! Y’all must have so much fun together!
same as the others, replace the second cup of water with vodka, rum or other alcohol. My daughter made red ones and just before serving, dipped the glasses and simple syrup and rimmed in blue pop rocks. Explosive idea for the fourth!
Keep on displaying that vibrant animal flesh…nothing like summer bbq’ing & getting your share of lean protien! ; )
I like to use Pucker in mine and I like to match them by color. Lime jello with green apple pucker. Blue raspberry jello with Blue Hawaiian. Strawberry jello with watermelon pucker. Orange jello with peach schnapps, etc. Good luck!!
Here is a jello shot recipe that is in the shape of stars.
http://italianhandful.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/independence-day-stars-stripes-dessert/
The bank I work for put together a cookbook a couple years ago & I kid you not, the very first recipe listed is for jello shots.
Also, I picked up 2 flat iron steaks at the farmers market this evening. I was thinking I might make fajitas, but since we’re going to be out of town on the 4th, they’ll have to wait!
http://www.bakersroyale.com/holiday/fourth-of-july-dessert-jello-shots/
I found this recipe on Food Gawker. I am making them for the 4th! Very excited.
I personally do not eat much red meat, but I do eat meat. But, whenever I eat it, it has to be well done. I cannot look at my food and see blood, it makes me a little sick to my stomach. I think it is great that you are so OPEN about eating meat!
Mmmm. That salsa verde does look CRAZY GOOD!!!!
Holy yums!!!! I love meat!!!
I also love your light humored blog with tasty recipes!
SKIP the jello shots and do PuDDING shots!! so much better!!!!! they are like eating ice cream, and when you stand up, your tipsy…haha
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/pudding-shots/detail.aspx
I’m craving steak now. Not a good thing when you’ve just reached work in the morning!
That steak looks absolutely perfect!! Haha, I’ve never made jello shots before, but one of my friends at school asked me to make pudding shots with her this semester–could be potentially disgusting/genius.
That looks simply delicious! Check out Hong Kong desserts at http://hongkongintern.wordpress.com/2011/06/29/life-is-uncertain-eat-dessert-first/
I usually make a flank steak but I find that if i don’t marinate it forever that its almost not worth eating. I’m going to have to try the flat iron steak….and yes, your salsa looks A-mazing… I had margarita jello shots at a party once and I found this recipe http://www.drinkstreet.com/searchresults.cgi?drinkid=930&drinkname=jello%20shots..I imagine that was the recipe. I just thought it might be fun to sprinkle some salt (or sugar) on the shot before you do it? Just like the salt on the rim of a margarita glass…yum. I’m making my BBQ chicken for the 4th…not sure what else yet.
Bahahhaa love Ben’s quotes.
I for one love all your beef recipes! I’m sure if I ate more, my iron levels would increase and I would feel better. It’s cute Ben calls you IGE. Happy Thirsday!
What on earth college did you go to that you never learned how to make Jello shots? Don’t they cover that in orientation? Looks like you already have the recipe covered, but I have an amazing recipe for Gin and Tonic Jello shots…served on a lime slice…if you are into that kind of thing.
Sure, I’d love it!
So funny that Ben called you IGE! That salad looks so good. I am going to try cooking steak the way that you do it because your steak always looks so tender! Delicious!
Don’t worry, I’ve never made jello shots either!
Good luck! I’m sure they will be great!
yum–that steak looks amazing. To my father-in-laws cookout I’m bringing dessert. but they’re not too big on sweets (unheard of, right?), so I’m making an All-American Celebration Cake that I found from Pampered Chef. It calls for angel food cake topped with berries and whipped cream.
Pinnacle makes a Whipped Cream Flavored Vodka that is fabulous in Jello shots!
Whaaaaaaaa????!??!?!
Yes, Ma’am!! HyVee has it!
Your steaks always look PERFECT!!!
OH man – that salsa verde looks AWESOME!
Yum steak! We’re doing homemade Chipotle bowls tonight with some steak on the grill!!!!
Wish I could help with the jello shots, I’d google it
ahhh my husband has super mustard-radar too! this looks fabulous, so when i make i’ll also exclude the mustard!
good luck with jello shots. while i love them, i’ve never made them
That steak and salsa verde combination is to die for! I recently had salmon and salsa verde and it was also incredible. For other ways to take guilty pleasure dishes and make them healthier and even more delectable, please look at our healthy recipes on our blog runningwithmascara.com
What a fantastic dinner and recipe!! YUMMY!
I’m going out to the National Mall for the 4th, so I’m not quite sure what to bring. It’s usually super hot out there, so it’ll have to be something refreshing (watermelon for sure) and recipes that don’t need constant refrigeration.
It is funny that you mentioned jello shots because my friend just sent me this link…
http://jelly-shot-test-kitchen.blogspot.com/2009/09/cosmopolitan-jelly-shots.html
I am making some of these babies for our neighborhood gathering!!