Dish: Wood-Grilled Grass-Fed Beef with Smokey Romesco Sauce from Short Order

Wine: 2009 Leon Barral Faugeres, $29, available at domaineLA

Tip: "This Carignan blend from Southern France is earthy, funky, and inky. It will punch up all of the smoky, charred flavors of the steak and romesco and give you something else to chew on," says Adams. Added bonus: Bring this bottle of vino in, order the steak, and corkage is on the house! How cool is that?

Grilled or Pan Seared Steak:
Ingredients:
1 steak (cut of choice)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Set steak on counter to reach room temp.
2. Brush with extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper (pinch may vary to your taste).
3. Heat grill or pan 350 degrees, and make sure your grill is seasoned if using one. For a pan sear, add 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
4. Set steak in pan or grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side and longer if you want a more well-done steak.
5. Remove steak from pan or grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before you cut into it. Resting your steak is the most important step for a juicy steak.

Smokey Romesco Sauce:
Ingredients:
1 red onion, peeled and cut into 1/2" sections (you can put a skewer through them to help hold together on the grill)
1 poblano or pasilla chile
2 red bell peppers
1 lb ripe tomatoes, any variety
1 head garlic
1/2 cup toasted nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, or any combination)
1/2 cup toasted bread crumbs
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup sherry vinegar
1 tsp Spanish paprika
1 tbsp salt

Directions:
1. Brush all vegetables lightly with olive oil and char on the grill until they are thoroughly cooked. Cut the top off of the garlic, place the remaiining bulb in tin foil, pour a little olive oil on it, then wrap in the foil. This should be grilled until soft. If using a wood or charcoal grill you can do it directly in the fire. Just pay attention because it is easy to burn when cooking directly in the coals.
2. The peppers should then be placed in a bowl covered with plastic wrap. When cool, remove, destem, deseed, and scrape off the skins.
3. The tomatoes, peppers, and onions should be chopped or pulsed in a food processor. They should not be pureed, but they should be finely chopped to leave some texture. The nuts should also be finely choppped by hand or in a food processor.
4. Mix all ingredients together and adjust seasonings using salt, pepper, vinegar, and olive oil.

Beer-Battered Onion Rings:
Ingredients:
3 red onions
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup corn starch
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cayenne powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
3 tsp paprika
1-2 cups dark beer
1 cup soda water
1 cup canola oil

Directions:
1. Mix dry ingredients together, making sure you break up all the clumps of paprika and other spices.
2. Add soda water and beer until you get a pancake-batter-like consistency (you can use more beer to reach that goal).
3. Next, cut your onions into 1/2 inch rings and coat lightly in plain flour.
4. Heat canola oil in a deep frying pan to 325 degrees.
5. Dip your rings in beer batter, letting excess batter drip off.
6. Fry in oil until golden brown. This process will need to be done in batches. You may need to add more oil.