You deserve to have a steak for the running of the Belmont Stakes. It is so “New York”.

First run in 1867, it is the oldest of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, making it the longest continuously run race in North America, predating the Kentucky Derby by eight years and the Preakness by six years. The Belmont Stakes is held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, just outside of New York City. The race, nicknamed The Test of the Champion and The Run for the Carnations, is the third and final leg of the Triple Crown and is held five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes, on a Saturday between June 5 and June 11.

And like most spectator sports, horse racing, at the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown are all about traditions, food and drinks. The Kentucky Derby is famous for it’s Mint Julep and Hot Browns Bibb Salads, while the Preakness Stakes is known for its Maryland Crab Cakes and Black Eyed Susans.

There are so many iconic food associated with New York City. And what comes to mind for me is a nice juicy steak, like the ones served at the legendary Delmonico’s Restaurant. Delmonico’s opened in Manhattan’s financial district in 1837 and it broke new ground in the American dining industry. It was the first establishment to go by the French term, “restaurant,” and the firsts did not end there.

Delmonico’s was ahead of its time, allowing female patrons to dine without the accompaniment of a male escort. It was the first restaurant to have a printed menu, offer a separate wine list, use tablecloths and also the first to have diners sit at private tables.

Delmonico steak (or steak Delmonico) was one of several cuts of beef (usually the ribeye), with a thick-cut preparation popularized by Delmonico’s restaurant in New York City during the mid-19th century. A Delmonico steak may now, in the 21st century, refer to various cuts of beef steak, using preparations that vary regionally in the United States. The term “Delmonico steak” might refer to any thick-cut steak. In addition to the steak, the original meal also included a potato dish, known as Delmonico potatoes, prepared by making a mashed potato dish topped with grated cheese and buttered breadcrumbs, then baked until golden brown and served steaming.

With that being said, no other dish, but the Delmonico Steak would be the prefect meal serve to your guest on race day, with the accompaniment of side dishes like Dauphinoise Potatoes and Creamed Spinach or Green Beans .

Serves 6

Ingredients:
Six 20-ounce boneless prime rib-eye steaks, at room temperature
Sea salt, to taste
Coarsely ground black pepper, to taste
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

For the Herb Butter:
3 fresh bay leaves
1 Tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons sea salt
1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

Directions:
For the Herb Butter:
Combine the bay leaves, thyme, and salt in a spice grinder and process until powdery.

Place the butter in a mixing bowl. Add the powdered mixture and, using a hand-held electric mixer, blend well.

Scrape the butter mixture onto the center of a sheet of plastic film. Pull the film up and over the soft butter and, using your hands, form the butter into a roll about 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 week, or wrap in freezer wrap, label, date, and freeze for up to 3 months.When ready to serve, unwrap the herb flavored butter and, using a sharp knife, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices, allowing one slice per steak.

For the Steaks:
Clean, oil, and preheat the grill.Wipe excess moisture from the exterior of the steaks using a paper towel. Season one side with salt and pepper.

Place the steaks on the hot grill, seasoned side down. Grill for 3 minutes. Season the top side and, using tongs, turn the steaks and grill for 3 minutes to just sear the exterior.

Remove the steaks from the grill and, using a pastry brush, lightly coat both sides of each steak with olive oil.

Return the steaks to the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until the exterior is nicely charred and the interior has reached the desired degree of doneness on an instant-read thermometer.

Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with a generous pat of Herb Butter.

Cook’s Notes:
Alternatively, you can also cook the steaks by pan searing.Sprinkle each steak with the pepper and salt; then rub each steak with a small amount of olive oil.

Pre-heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat; then place each steak in the skillet. Uncovered, sear on one side of the steak for 5 minutes then turn the steak over and sear the other side for 3 minutes.Reduce the heat and cook for an additional 8 to 10 minutes or until the internal temperature is 145 º F for medium doneness.

Serve each steak topped with slice of the chilled herb butter.

– – IMPORTANT FOOD SAFETY REMINDER – –

It is recommend to use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness. Rare steak will have an internal temperature of 120 º to 125 ºF; medium-rare to medium should read 130 º to 150 º F. This should take somewhere near twenty minutes, depending upon the thickness of the meat and the heat. Above 150 º F, a steak is considered well-done, which is not a desirable temperature for a really good steak! A steak should sit for five minutes or so before cutting, so remember that it will continue to cook as it sits when you gauge the internal temperature.

Cooking temperatures and times and may vary for your oven, broiler stove top or grill.