Steak and Cake * Fine Dining on a Budget
A perfectly cooked steak, seared and basted with pan juices, topped with a delicate crab cake. Garnished with fresh lemon and chives, herbed compound butter melting over the top. What would you pay for a meal like this at a restaurant? $50-$100?
Now, what if I told you I made this at home, completely gluten free and for under $15 per serving?
Full disclosure, this is not a filet mignon. It’s a thick cut petite top sirloin that I got on sale- a package of 2 steaks for $15.50, which was half the price of the beef tenderloin. No, it is not as tender as filet mignon but it’s a good little steak with plenty of flavor.
And the crab cakes– they were made with crab from a can. Yes, they would be amazing with fresh or frozen crab meat, but remember, this was an economy meal. I made a batch in advance and reserved one especially for this dinner.
You can make this meal for one, two or more. One steak and one crab cake per person. Just imagine what a dinner party entrée this would make! What would be more surprising, that it was gluten free or that you put it all together on a budget?
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Ingredients per serving:
- 1 petite top sirloin steak, thick cut
- 2 tbsp. canola oil
- 1 tbsp. butter
- Montreal steak seasoning
- 1 lemon
- fresh chives for garnish
- 2 tbsp. compound butter (see notes)
- 1 crab cake (see recipe here)
Preparation:
Sprinkle both sides of the steak with Montreal Steak Seasoning. Preheat a heavy skillet for at least 10 minutes, you want the steak to sizzle when it hits the pan for a good sear. Just before adding the steak, coat the pan with 2 tbsp. canola oil and 1 tbsp. butter. Add the steak and cook for 4 minutes. To get that wonderful crust, do not move the steak around in the pan.

Next, turn the steak over and squeeze lemon juice and 1 tbsp. compound butter over the top. Cover and cook until the internal temperature reaches 145º (for medium). OR place it in a 350º oven, uncovered until the internal temperature reaches 145º.
To serve, top the steak with a crab cake. Garnish with chives, lemon wedges and the remaining 1 tbsp. compound butter.
What a meal! Yes, I do eat like a queen despite my dietary restrictions. 👸🏻 I hope that when I show you recipes like this one you realize that a gluten free diet does not mean food has to be boring or tasteless. In fact, I’m a bigger foodie now than I have ever been. It just takes a bit of imagination and determination. Try the recipe, you will not be disappointed!
Notes ♪♫ I used a Hexclad® skillet to cook my steak. It is a hybrid pan combining the best features of nonstick, cast iron and stainless steel. I’ve had mine for 3 years and it was worth the price tag.
Recipes for Crab Cakes and Compound Butter are linked here-

Gluten Free Steak and Cake
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A perfectly cooked steak, seared and basted with pan juices, topped with a delicate crab cake. Garnished with fresh lemon and chives, herbed compound butter melting over the top.
Ingredients
- 1 petite top sirloin steak, thick cut
- 2 tbsp. canola oil
- 1 tbsp. butter
- Montreal steak seasoning
- 1 lemon
- fresh chives for garnish
- 2 tbsp. compound butter (see recipe link)
- 1 crab cake (see recipe link)
Instructions
Sprinkle both sides of the steak with Montreal Steak Seasoning. Preheat a heavy skillet for at least 10 minutes, you want the steak to sizzle when it hits the pan for a good sear.
Just before adding the steak, coat the pan with 2 tbsp. canola oil and 1 tbsp. butter. Add the steak and cook for 4 minutes. To get that wonderful crust, do not move the steak around in the pan.
Next, turn the steak over and squeeze lemon juice and compound butter over the top. Cover and cook until the internal temperature reaches 145º (for medium). OR place it in a 350º oven, uncovered until the internal temperature reaches 145º.
To serve, top the steak with a crab cake. Garnish with chives, lemon wedges and more compound butter.
Notes
♪ Recipes for Crab Cakes and Compound Butter are linked here-
♪ I used a Hexclad® skillet to cook my steak. It is a hybrid pan combining the best features of nonstick, cast iron and stainless steel. I’ve had mine for 3 years and it was worth the price tag.
© My Gluten Free Cucina * All Rights Reserved
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.


Coat a large sauté pan or nonstick skillet with cooking spray over medium low heat. Scramble the egg, chop into small pieces and set aside.
Add 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. sesame oil to the pan. Add the diced chicken and begin browning.
Turn to finish cooking through.
When the veggies are crisp tender add back the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth mixture, stirring and tossing to combine until the liquid thickens.
Notes ♪♫


When the pan is hot, add the chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, turning once.

I served it with
Notes ♪♫
[print_link]



Continue cooking with the cover off, allowing the liquid to bubble up and thicken.
Chicken is finished when it reaches an internal temperature of 165º. Transfer to a serving dish and drizzle some of the pan juices over the top.








If you miss boxed mixes like Rice-a-Roni® on the gluten free diet, step into the kitchen with me, and I’ll show you how I made this gluten free copycat version, all fancied up with a little bit of veggies and slivered almonds. Only one ingredient swap was needed to make this recipe gluten free. In place of the vermicelli, I used these thin rice noodles from Thai Kitchen.
Preparation:




Notes ♪♫

Ingredients:


Add the onions to the skillet with an additional tbsp. olive oil. When the onions are translucent, add 2 tbsp. of the balsamic mixture. Cook, stirring frequently until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Return the pork chops to the skillet with the peas and drizzle with the remaining balsamic mixture. Continue to cook for several more minutes, until the pork chops are heated through.
Drain the pasta, add to the skillet and toss to coat. Remove from heat and serve right in the pan for a casual dinner.
Notes ♪♫
Ingredients:
Remove the shrimp to a bowl and add another tbsp. olive oil to the skillet. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 30 seconds, stirring several times.
Add the fire roasted tomatoes with juice, 1/2 tsp. oregano and salt to taste.
Cook the pasta to 2 minutes less than package directions. With 4 minutes to go on the pasta, add the shrimp to the sauce.
Drain the pasta, add it right into the sauce and toss with 1 more tbsp. olive oil and more red pepper flakes if you dare! ♨️
Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh Italian parsley.


Preparation:
I did think the veggies were a bit large for fried rice, so I cut them into smaller pieces. Season the veggies with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with garlic and ginger powder and leave them out to defrost.



