Seared steak topped with a dollop of garlicky aioli makes a simple and satisfying supper. Experiment with different herbs in this easy, super-flavorful aioli. We love it on steaks, but it would make a perfect sauce for grilled or broiled salmon or a delicious sandwich spread.

Seared Steak with Roasted Garlic Aioli

Makes 4 servings, 3 ounces steak and about 1 1/2 tablespoons sauce each.

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 1/4 hours

1 small head garlic, roasted (see tip)

1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise

1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt plus 1/4 teaspoon, divided

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1-1 1/4 pounds boneless strip steaks (about 1 inch thick), trimmed

Recipe Steps:

When cool enough to handle, squeeze the roasted garlic pulp into a small bowl. Add mayonnaise, rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Stir and gently mash together, leaving large pieces of garlic intact to create a chunky sauce.

Pat steaks dry and cut into 4 equal portions. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, but not smoking. Add the steaks and cook until browned on the bottom, 2 to 4 minutes. Turn over, reduce heat to medium-low and cook to desired doneness, 3 to 5 minutes for medium-rare. Serve the steaks with about 1 1/2 tablespoons aioli each.

To make ahead: Cover and refrigerate sauce (Step 1) for up to 3 days.

Recipe tip: To roast garlic, position rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 400 F. Rub off the excess papery skin from a head of garlic without separating the cloves. Slice the tip off the head, exposing the cloves. Place the garlic on a piece of foil, drizzle with 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil and wrap into a package. Place the package directly on the oven rack and roast until the garlic is very soft, 40 to 45 minutes. Unwrap and let cool. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Recipe Nutrition:

Per serving: 232 calories; 13 g fat (3 g sat, 6 g mono); 65 mg cholesterol; 6 g carbohydrate; 1 g added sugars; 23 g protein; 0 g fiber; 275 mg sodium; 311 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Zinc (28 percent daily value)

1/2 Carbohydrate Serving(s)

Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 1/2 fat

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