Cube Steaks Au Poivre Food

STEAK AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Remove the steaks from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour prior to cooking. Sprinkle all sides with salt.
• Coarsely crush the peppercorns with a mortar and pestle, the bottom of a cast iron skillet, or using a mallet and pie pan. Spread the peppercorns evenly onto a plate. Press the fillets, on both sides, into the pepper until it coats the surface. Set aside.
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil. As soon as the butter and oil begin to turn golden and smoke, gently place the steaks in the pan. For medium-rare, cook for 4 minutes on each side. Once done, remove the steaks to a plate, tent with foil and set aside. Pour off the excess fat but do not wipe or scrape the pan clean.
• Off of the heat, add 1/3 cup Cognac to the pan and carefully ignite the alcohol with a long match or firestick. Gently shake pan until the flames die. Return the pan to medium heat and add the cream. Bring the mixture to a boil and whisk until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Add the teaspoon of Cognac and season, to taste, with salt. Add the steaks back to the pan, spoon the sauce over, and serve.

STEAK AU POIVRE (FILET IN GREEN PEPPERCORN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Sprinkle the filets generously with salt.
• Heat a medium cast-iron skillet over high heat until it starts to smoke slightly. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan. Sear the filets on both sides until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet fitted with a wire rack. Cook in the oven until desired doneness, about 7 minutes for medium rare.
• Meanwhile, return the skillet to medium heat. Add the heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, green peppercorns and bouillon cube. Bring to a simmer and let reduce by about half, about 2 minutes. Add the cognac and porcini powder and let reduce again for 1 minute.
• Remove the beef from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut the filets across the grain into 2-inch pieces and top with the au poivre sauce, thyme sprigs and a pinch of coarse salt.

STEAK AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Crack peppercorns in a mortar or pestle or with a rolling pin. Press cracked peppercorns into the steaks.
• Heat butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add steaks; cook, turning with tongs, until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Reduce heat to medium and cook steaks, turning often, until they begin to firm up and are hot and slightly pink in the center, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer steaks to a plate and cover to keep warm.
• Stir shallot into the skillet. Pour in cognac and red wine; simmer, stirring constantly, until reduced, about 2 minutes. Pour in beef broth and simmer, scraping browned bits off the bottom of the skillet, until sauce is smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in cream; cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Pour cream sauce over steaks.

CUBE STEAKS AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper to taste (not included in ingredients above).
• In a large skillet, melt butter and cook steaks 2 at a time on medium-high heat until browned on both sides, about 4 minutes for each set of steaks.
• Reserve drippings in pan.
• Arrange steaks on a platter and keep warm.
• Into pan drippings, over medium high heat, add remaining ingredients; stirring often to losen brown bits on bottom of skillet, heat until warm.
• Pour over steaks and serve.

STEAK AU POIVRE

Steps:

• If you have the time, prepare your steaks several hours ahead. Start by crushing the peppercorns very coarsely. Take a shallow dish, large enough to hold the two steaks, without them touching. Pour in one tablespoon olive oil, mixed with half of the crushed garlic. Coat each steak evenly on both sides with the peppercorns, and pressing them in firmly (use a heavy plate to do this). Lay the steaks in the dish and spoon over the other tablespoon of oil and the rest of the garlic. Cover and leave them in the fridge for several hours, turning once.
• When you're ready to cook the steaks, you will need a cast iron skillet (or heavy based frying pan). Place it over very high heat and let it preheat until it is very hot - the more daring you can be, the better the finished dish! Now, quickly drop each steak directly into the pan. Sear them quickly on each side - about 1 minute per side.
• (Do not be tempted to move the steaks other than to flip them as directed. Furthermore, flip your steaks with tongs rather than a fork, which will pierce them and allow juices to escape. ).
• Once seared, lower the heat and cook them. I like them "blue" which means they are seared and very rare. For medium rare give them 3 more minutes and for well done, 4 more minutes. You won't need to turn them.
• Either way 1 minute before the end of the cooking time, pour in the wine and let it bubble and reduce down to a syrupy consistency, about 1/3 of its original volume.
• This whole process is very brief, and I actually don't even bother setting a timer, I just count the minutes in my head. Once done, sprinkle with salt and serve as quickly as possible. This is best with a mixed green salad and a basic vinegaret dressing.

STEAK AU POIVRE (CLASSIC)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200º.
• Pat steaks dry and season both sides with kosher salt.
• Coarsely crush peppercorns in a sealed plastic bag with a meat pounder or bottom of a heavy skillet, then press pepper evenly onto both sides of steaks.
• Heat a 12-inch heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium high heat until hot, about 3 min, then add oil. Swirl skillet to lightly coat the entire skillet.
• Saute steaks in batches (2 at a time). DO NOT TOUCH - this lets them brown nicely and makes all the difference. Cook for 6 min and flip and cook for another 6 minute for medium rare steaks. Repeat with remaining 2 steaks.
• Transfer cooked steaks to a heatprook platter and keep warm in the oven.
• After all 4 steaks are cooked pour off fat from skillet if any, then add shallots and half of the butter. Cook over medium low heat, stirring and scraping up any brown bits from bottom of the pan until the shallots are well browned all over, 3-5 minute.
• Remove skillet from heat and add Cognac. (If you add while on the burner it may ignite.) Boil, stirring until liquid is reduced to a glaze, 2-3 minute.
• Add cream and any meat juices that have accumulated on the platter in the oven. Boil sauce, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, 3-5 minute
• Add the other half of the butter and cook over low heat swirling the skillet to melt and incorporate the butter.
• Serve sauce with steaks.

LORI'S SMOTHERED CUBE STEAKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In large saute pan, on medium high, heat 2 tbsp of the oil.
• Meanwhile, place flour along with season salt in a dish.
• Mix.
• Dredge steaks, coating well on both sides.
• Reserve remaining flour.
• Fry steaks in oil for 3 minutes on both sides.
• Place in oven going baking dish coated with non stick spray.
• Add the remaining oil to the pan.
• Saute the onions for 5 minutes, then add mushrooms and continue sauteing for another 5 minutes.
• Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
• Add 1 tablespoons of the reserved flour, stir and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the wine, cooking briefly and then the stock.
• Stir.
• Should it become thicker than you want, just add more stock.
• Cook until desired consistency.
• Add the bacon, tarragon and pepper to taste.
• Stir.
• Pour mixture over the steaks and bake 45 minutes.

HAMBURGER STEAK (HACHE) AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Shape meat into patties of equal size.
• Sprinkle with salt.
• Sprinkle all over with the crushed peppercorns and press down on meat to help peppercorns adhere.
• Heat a heavy skillet and do not add fat of any kind.
• When skillet is quite hot add the patties.
• Cook about 5 minute on one side.
• Using a spatula, quickly up patties and turn.
• Cook about 5 minute longer (10 minute for well-done).
• Remove patties to a warm platter.
• Add 1 tablespoon of the butter to the skillet.
• Add shallots to the skillet and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon until shallots are wilted.
• Add the wine and cook 1 minute.
• Add the cognac and let reduce to about half.
• Add the beef broth and cook until reduced to about 3 tablespoons.
• Swirl in the remaining butter.
• Return patties to skillet (off the heat) and turn once.
• Serve garnished with the parsley.