Flat Iron Steak Au Poivre Food

FLAT-IRON STEAK AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Season steaks with salt and let sit at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, place peppercorns in a plastic bag and coarsely crack with a meat mallet or rolling pin. Transfer peppercorns to a plate. Lightly pat steaks dry and coat both sides of each steak with peppercorns, pressing to adhere.
• Heat a medium skillet, preferably cast-iron, over medium-high. Swirl in oil and cook steaks, turning once, until internal temperature reads 135 degrees (for medium-rare), 6 to 8 minutes total. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
• Discard fat from pan. Add butter and shallots and cook, stirring often, until shallots soften and begin to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Carefully add cognac and cook, scraping up any bits from the bottom of pan, until almost evaporated, 3 minutes. Add Worcestershire and stock and simmer until reduced by half (to about 1/3 cup), 4 to 5 minutes. Add cream and cook until heated through and thickened slightly, about 1 minute more. Slice steaks against the grain, divide between two plates, and top with sauce.

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

Steps:

• Put peppercorns in a small resalable plastic bag and hit with a rolling pin until coarsely crushed. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels and season well salt. Dip 1 side of each steak into the peppercorns and press to help adhere.
• Heat the butter and oil in a 10-inch heavy-bottomed frying pan over medium-heat until just smoking.
• Add the steaks, peppercorn side up to the hot pan and cook, undisturbed, about 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook, pressing the steaks down in the pan so that the peppercorns adhere, about 4 to 5 minutes for medium-rare. Remove to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest at least 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile discard all but 1 tablespoon of the drippings, return the pan to the stove over medium heat, add the shallots and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Stir in the beef broth and brandy. Scrape the bottom of the pan to incorporate any browned bits and cook until slightly thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add the cream and any accumulated meat juices and simmer until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes. Stir in vinegar and season, to taste, with salt. Transfer the steaks to serving plates and drizzle with the sauce.

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

Steps:

• Season both sides of each steak with the salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over high heat, and then sauté the steaks, 2 at a time, for 3-4 minutes on each side.
• Transfer the steaks to a heatproof dish and keep them warm in a 175-degree oven.
• Pour any leftover liquid from the skillet and lower the heat to medium.
• Add the shallots and 1 piece of butter; sauté for 5 minutes, until cooked.
• Carefully add Cognac (it may flame) and bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
• Stir in cream and other piece of butter; heat through, stirring constantly.
• Serve over steaks immediately.