Rib-Eye Steak With Blue Cheese Butter and Walla Walla Onion Ring

Recipe by David Kreifels, Laurelhurst Market, Portland, Oregon. Published in Bon Appetit Sept. 2010. Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2010/09/rib_eye_steak_with_blue_cheese_butter_and_walla_walla_onion_rings#ixzz1guvFmtrK

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• Steaks

• 2  rib eye steaks (1 lb each, about 1 to 1 1/4 inches thick)
•  coarse kosher salt

• Blue Cheese Butter

• 3  tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3  tablespoons  crumbled american blue cheese, room temperature (such as Maytag)
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  finely grated lemon peel
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  freshly cracked black pepper

• Walla Walla Onion Rings

• 1  cup cake flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  coarse kosher salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 cup beer
• 2  tablespoons vodka
•  canola oil (for deep-frying) or   peanut oil (for deep-frying)
• 1  large  about 12 ounces  walla walla onions (such as Vidalia or Maui) or 1  large other sweet onion, cut into 1/3-inch-thick rounds, separated into rings (such as Vidalia or Maui)

Directions

1. Steaks.
2. Sprinkle steaks on both sides with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place on plate; cover and chill overnight.
3. Blue Cheese Butter.
4. Using fork, mix all ingredients in small bowl. Season with freshly ground black pepper. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before using.
5. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill steaks to desired doneness, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to cutting board; let rest 5 minutes.
6. Walla Walla Onion Rings.
7. Meanwhile, whisk flour, coarse salt, and baking powder in medium bowl. Add beer and vodka; whisk just until blended. Pour enough oil into heavy large pot to reach depth of 2 inches. Attach deep-fry thermometer to side of pot; heat oil over medium heat to 350°F Working with 2 onion rings at a time, dip onion rings into batter; shake off excess. Gently drop onion rings into hot oil; fry until deep golden, adjusting heat to maintain temperature, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer onion rings to paper towels. Repeat with remaining batter and onion rings.
8. Cut steaks in half across grain. Place 1 steak half on each of 4 plates. Top with blue cheese butter and onion rings.