Irish Beef Sirloin with Mac and Cheese

PREPARATION

• 1
  Remove the sirloin from the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200°C (fan-assisted mode) and bring a pot of water to a boil.
• 2
  Add the pasta to the hot, well-salted water and cook over high heat for 7-8 minutes, until al dente.
• 3
  Once cooked, drain, but reserve one cup of starchy pasta water.
• 4
  Grate the cheddar cheese!
• 5
  Mix the cooked pasta with the cream and grated cheddar cheese. Add a splash of the pasta water and season with salt and pepper – the cheesy macaroni is ready.
• 6
  Transfer the cheesy macaroni to an ovenproof dish (or several small dishes), sprinkle with grated Italian hard cheese, and drizzle with truffle oil. Bake for 15 minutes, until golden brown.
• 7
  While it bakes, halve the tomatoes and mix the balsamic vinegar with olive oil and salt – this will be the balsamic dressing.
• 8
  Heat a large pan over high heat, meanwhile pat the steak dry, rub it with clarified butter (ghee), and season generously with salt.
• 9
  Place the steak in the hot pan and cook both sides to your liking.
• 10
  Cook for 2-3 minutes per side for rare, 3-4 minutes for medium rare, and 4-5 minutes for medium. The steak should rest for at least 5 minutes on a clean plate after cooking.
• 11
  While the mac & cheese bakes and the steak rests, prepare the salad: wash and dry the lettuce leaves, then tear them into a bowl. Add the tomatoes, pour over the dressing, and mix well.
• 12
  Slice the rested steak and serve with the truffle mac & cheese and fresh salad.