This cast-iron steak recipe has what it takes to transform beef and vegetables from basic to brilliant. A pop of rosemary on the steak, an intense sear in a hot skillet and a sweet-and-sour glaze on the vegetables elevates the dish. Serve with sauteed spinach and a glass of red wine.

Steak with Glazed Carrots and Turnips

Serves 4

Serving Size: 3 oz. steak, 1 cup vegetables

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 tablespoon butter

1 pound small carrots (about 5 inches long), halved lengthwise

1 pound turnips (about 3 medium), peeled and cut into thick matchsticks

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

3/4 teaspoon ground pepper, divided

1 pound sirloin or top round steak (about 1-inch thick), trimmed

1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar

Preheat oven to 450 F.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil and butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrots and turnips, sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to brown and soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Meanwhile, cut steak in half crosswise and sprinkle with rosemary and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the steak and cook until starting to brown on each side, about 2 minutes total. Transfer to another plate.

Return the vegetables to the pan and stir in brown sugar. Place the steak on the vegetables. Carefully transfer the pan to the oven.

Roast until the vegetables are tender and the steak is cooked to your desired doneness, 8 to 10 minutes for medium. Remove the steak to a clean cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing. Drizzle vinegar over the vegetables. Serve the steak with the vegetables.

Recipe Nutrition: per serving: 328 calories; 15 g fat (5 g sat, 8 g mono); 67 mg cholesterol; 25 g carbohydrate; 7 g added sugars; 16 g total sugars; 24 g protein; 5 g fiber; 639 mg sodium; 880 mg potassium.

Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (381 percent daily value), Vitamin C (51 percent dv), Zinc (31 percent dv), Potassium (25 percent dv), Vitamin B12 (21 percent dv)

1 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving(s)

Exchanges: 3 1/2 vegetable, 1/2 other carbohydrate, 3 lean meat, 2 fat

(EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.)