Steak au Poivre with Brandied Cream Sauce
To save time, crush the peppercorns and trim the steaks while the broth mixture simmers. Many pepper mills do not have a sufficiently coarse setting. In that case, crush peppercorns with a sauté pan or rolling pin. (See below.)
Recommend serving with roasted fingerling potatoes and fresh steamed green beans.
Ingredients: (serves four)
Sauce:
- 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 medium shallot, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup brandy
- 1 tbsp. brandy
- 1 tsp. lemon juice or 1 tsp. Champagne vinegar
- Table salt
Steaks:
- 4 strip steaks (8-10 ounces each), 2/4 to 1 inch thick and no larger than 3 inches at widest points, trimmed of exterior gristle
- Table salt
- 1 tbsp. black peppercorns, crushed
Process:
1. Heat 1 tbsp. butter in 12-inch heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat; when foaming subsides, add shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add beef and chicken broths, increase heat to high, and boil until reduced to about ½ cup, about 8 minutes. Set reduced broth mixture aside. Rinse and wipe out skillet.
2. Meanwhile, sprinkle both sides of steaks with salt; rub one side of each steak with 1 tsp. crushed peppercorns, and, using fingers, press peppercorns into steaks to make them adhere.
3. Place now-empty skillet over medium heat until hot, about 4 minutes. Lay steaks un-peppered side down in hot skillet, increase heat to medium-high, firmly press down on steaks with bottom of cake pan and cook steaks without moving them until well-browned, about 6 minutes. Using tongs, flip steaks, firmly press down on steaks with bottom of cake pan, and cook on peppered side, about 3 minutes longer for rare, about 4 minutes longer for medium-rare or about 5 minutes longer for medium. Transfer steaks to large plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
4. Pour reduced broth, cream, and ¼ cup brandy into now-empty skillet; increase heat to high and bring to boil, scraping pan bottom with wooden spoon to loosen browned bits. Simmer until deep golden brown and thick enough to heavily coat back of metal tablespoon or soup spoon, about 5 minutes. Off heat, whisk in remaining 3 tablespoons butter, remaining 1 tablespoon brandy, lemon juice or vinegar, and any accumulated meat juices. Adjust seasonings with salt.
Set steaks on individual dinner plates, spoon portion of sauce over steaks, and serve immediately.
Pair with Iron Gate Cabernet Sauvignon.
