French-Style Flank Steak

Marinate

1. Using a knife, make cross-hatch incisions in the steak then place it into a dish. Add the oil, shallot, herbs, and half of the wine. Season with pepper to taste. Let stand in the refrigerator at least 12 h (up to 24 h).

Grill outdoor or in the oven

2. Preheat the oven to 195°C/375°F or an outdoor grill to 'medium'.
3. Take the steak out of the marinade. Drain the steak and pat it dry. Set the marinade aside. Put the steak on the rack of a broiler pan, or, alternatively, put the steak on a grill rack.
4. Cook in the middle of the oven or on a medium hot grill. The exact cooking time depends on the steak's thickness and on how you prefer it cooked. For a steak of 300 to 450 g, calculate 10-12 min for rare, 15-17 min for medium-rare. For a steak of 500-600 g, calculate about 15 min for rare, 18-20 for medium-rare. It is important not to overcook the flank steak since it will become tough if overcooked.
5. Transfer the steak to a cutting board, cover it loosely with aluminum foil, then let the meat stand for 5 minutes in order to reabsorb the meat juices.
6. Meanwhile, heat the reserved marinade in a small pan together with any remaining cooking juices. Pour in the rest of the wine and cook 1 min over high heat. Add the margarine, and stir until it has melted, about 1 min.
7. Cut the steak into serving size portions, add salt to taste, pour the sauce over the steak, then serve.