Rich_L
05-03-2012, 04:41
This is a bit of a Southern California speciality, with the 'tri-tip' cut being popularised in Santa Maria a few miles north of Santa Barbara. It is a triangular cut from the where the bottom sirloin meets the round (hence the name) and will vary from around 1.5lbs to 2.5lbs normally, the meat itself is slightly tougher than top sirloin but nicely marbled which makes it perfect for BBQing.
The way I normally cook it is to marinade in a freezer bag in the fridge for about an hour or two, the marinade being made of olive oil, lemon juice, fresh oregano and garlic.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PrgCHVMdZ9s/T1QxP1obZKI/AAAAAAAAAQM/jm0EUgaKgl8/s640/P1000049.JPG
Fire up the BBQ and get it nice and hot, then sear the outside for about 5 minutes each side (turning after halfway) (this time I had a couple chunks of mesquite log burning on the side for some smoke flavour which you can see in the background)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IsmtX8571qk/T1QxQpe1p-I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/mFiMvj8e8rE/s640/P1000053.JPG
Flip and turn on each side to get some nice cross-hatching for presentation :p
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o-RHVHyh1JQ/T1QxQlCWO3I/AAAAAAAAAQY/-6WTotlTX1A/s640/P1000055.JPG
After searing place up on the warming rack, or onto your 'indirect' cooking part and let it cook for 15-20 minutes. Remove and let rest for 10-15 minutes
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Fwo-z69HyRA/T1QxUPztkaI/AAAAAAAAAQc/Mz-t7A2GRpU/s640/P1000057.JPG
Slice across the grain - the nice thing about tri-tip is normally one end is thicker than the other so you can cater for different tastes while cooking the same time as usually one end is 'more done' than the other.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-11JzxI_GD3A/T1QxWp_kIsI/AAAAAAAAAQg/8S8yLLzr7q0/s640/P1000058.JPG
I served it this time with some grilled Belgian Endives which were pretty tasty, just brushed with olive oil, some oregano and grilled for 5 minutes, after grilling I drizzled some more olive oil, oregano and some salt and pepper.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-he2-OqnLpJ4/T1QxWi5P-nI/AAAAAAAAAQk/bHuwCkCqd4E/s640/P1000059.JPG
Was pretty good! If you can get your local butcher to understand and do this cut then give it a go, it's ace! :D
The way I normally cook it is to marinade in a freezer bag in the fridge for about an hour or two, the marinade being made of olive oil, lemon juice, fresh oregano and garlic.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PrgCHVMdZ9s/T1QxP1obZKI/AAAAAAAAAQM/jm0EUgaKgl8/s640/P1000049.JPG
Fire up the BBQ and get it nice and hot, then sear the outside for about 5 minutes each side (turning after halfway) (this time I had a couple chunks of mesquite log burning on the side for some smoke flavour which you can see in the background)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IsmtX8571qk/T1QxQpe1p-I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/mFiMvj8e8rE/s640/P1000053.JPG
Flip and turn on each side to get some nice cross-hatching for presentation :p
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o-RHVHyh1JQ/T1QxQlCWO3I/AAAAAAAAAQY/-6WTotlTX1A/s640/P1000055.JPG
After searing place up on the warming rack, or onto your 'indirect' cooking part and let it cook for 15-20 minutes. Remove and let rest for 10-15 minutes
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Fwo-z69HyRA/T1QxUPztkaI/AAAAAAAAAQc/Mz-t7A2GRpU/s640/P1000057.JPG
Slice across the grain - the nice thing about tri-tip is normally one end is thicker than the other so you can cater for different tastes while cooking the same time as usually one end is 'more done' than the other.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-11JzxI_GD3A/T1QxWp_kIsI/AAAAAAAAAQg/8S8yLLzr7q0/s640/P1000058.JPG
I served it this time with some grilled Belgian Endives which were pretty tasty, just brushed with olive oil, some oregano and grilled for 5 minutes, after grilling I drizzled some more olive oil, oregano and some salt and pepper.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-he2-OqnLpJ4/T1QxWi5P-nI/AAAAAAAAAQk/bHuwCkCqd4E/s640/P1000059.JPG
Was pretty good! If you can get your local butcher to understand and do this cut then give it a go, it's ace! :D