Pan-Fried Sirloins With Pepperonata

1 tablespoon olive oil, divided

1 medium yellow bell pepper (for about 1 cup chopped)

1 medium orange bell pepper (for about 1 cup chopped)

1 medium red bell pepper (for about 1 cup chopped)

1 large onion (for about 1 cup chopped)

1 can (14 ounces) chopped tomatoes seasoned with basil, vinegar and oil (see note)

2 bay leaves

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

4 medium-thick sirloin steaks (6 ounces each), trimmed of excess fat

Heat half the oil in a 4½-quart Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Seed and coarsely chop each of the peppers, adding them to the pot as you chop. Peel and coarsely chop the onion, adding it to the pot as you chop. Add the tomatoes with their juices, bay leaves and brown sugar. Stir well to mix. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender (but not mushy).

While the vegetables are cooking, heat the remaining oil in a 12-inch extra-deep skillet on medium-high heat. (An extra-deep skillet allows you to cook all four steaks at one time owing to a larger surface area. If you don't have one, use two smaller skillets or cook the steaks in batches.)

Lightly salt and pepper both sides of each steak and place them in the hot oil. Cook on each side, turning just once, about 4 minutes (for medium) or until desired doneness.

Place the steaks on a serving plate. Remove and discard the bay leaves from the pepper mixture (Pepperonata) and stir well. Top each steak with ¼ cup of Pepperonata. (Store extra Pepperonata in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. The pepper sauce is delicious on baked potatoes, grilled chicken, fish, pork or sprinkled cold over salads.) Serve immediately.

Serves four.

Cook's note: For testing purposes, we used Hunts chopped tomatoes with vinegar, oil and basil. If you can't find this product in your area, use a can of plain chopped tomatoes, 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar and ½ teaspoon dried basil. There is no need to add additional oil.

Nutrition values per serving: 427 calories, 30 g fat (11 g saturated), 5 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 33 g protein, 114 mg cholesterol, 215 mg sodium.