Roast Beef with Spicy Yogurt-Walnut Sauce

Ingredients:

One 2-lb beef eye of round roast
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 1/2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup walnut halves (3 oz)
2 medium Italain frying peppers (Cubanelles), cut into small dice
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 cups plain while-milk yogurt
2 small garlic cloves, minced
2 plum tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 450°. Heat a large ovenproof skillet until very hot. On a plate,rub the roast all over with the soy sauce and then with 1 Tbsp of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the roast to the skillet, fat side down, along with any extra oil from the plate. Cook over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 4 minutes. Turn the roast fat side up and roast in the oven for 25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat registers 115° for rare. Transfer the roast to a carving board to rest.

Meanwhile, spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast for about 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let cool. Coarsely chop the nuts.

In a medium skillet, heat the remaining 1/2 Tbsp of olive oil. Add the frying peppers, cumin, coriander, and cayenne. Cover and cook over moderately low heat until the peppers are barely softened, about 5 minutes. Let cool.

In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, garlic, walnuts, frying peppers, and tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Thinly slice the roast and serve with the walnut sauce.

Variations: Use the spicy walnut sauce on chicken or lamb, or serve as a dip for pita bread.

Serves 4.

From foodandwine.com