Sauteed Apples With Currants And Cognac Food

SAUTEED APPLES W/RAISINS & COGNAC (#8)

Steps:

• Melt butter in a non-stick skillet. Add apples & sprinkle w/sugar.
• Saute (stirring constantly w/a wooden spoon) till apples begin to get tender (about 2-3 min).
• Add raisins & saute for a couple of min to heat them through & continue to cook the apples.
• Remove the skillet from the heat, stir in the cognac & swirl the apples around til it is well-mixed into the sauce.
• Serving Suggestions: If you want to serve hot (or warm), use apple mixture to top pound cake slices or vanilla ice cream & sprinkle w/the chopped pecans. -- If you want to serve cold, refrigerate mixture till ready for use & then assemble the desserts as already stated.

SAUTEED APPLES

Steps:

• In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; add apples. Cook, stirring constantly, until apples are almost tender, about 6 to 7 minutes.
• Dissolve cornstarch in water; add to skillet. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and serve warm.

MINUTE STEAK WITH QUICKIE COGNAC SAUCE

Steps:

• Put some oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
• Place the steak on a plastic board and cover with plastic wrap. Pound the steak with the flat side of a meat mallet until it is about 1/4-inch thick. Remove the plastic wrap.
• Sprinkle the steak on both sides with salt and pepper. When the oil begins to visibly smoke, add the steak to the skillet. Cook on the first side, 2 to 3 minutes. (Resist the temptation to flip or move the steak as it cooks.) Turn the steak on the second side and cook until browned and an instant-read thermometer registers between 125 and 130 degrees F for rare, between 130 and 135 degrees F for medium-rare, or between 135 and 140 degrees F for medium, 2 to 3 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, peel and mince the shallots.
• Remove the steak from the skillet to a clean plastic cutting board while you make the sauce. Pour off the excess grease from the skillet. Add the shallots to the skillet along with the butter and cook until the shallots are translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Pull the skillet off the heat and add the cognac. Gently tilt the skillet towards the flame to ignite the alcohol. Cook until the flame subsides and the liquid reduces almost completely. (See below for an alternative method for igniting alcohol.) Add the beef stock, mustard and vinegar and stir to combine. Reduce until thick, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, thinly slice the chives. Add the steak and any accumulated juices back to the skillet. Spoon the shallots and juices over the steak, then transfer back to the cutting board. Slice the steak, then arrange on a serving platter. Spoon over any additional sauce and sprinkle the sliced chives over the top.

SAUTEED APPLES

Steps:

• In a large skillet on medium-high heat, melt butter (If your butter browns a bit, don't get excited! This gives an even better flavor.
• Add sliced, unpeeled apples, cover, and saute, stirring frequently.
• In a bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. (Sometimes, for a taste difference, I also throw in 1/2 cup chopped pecans, at this point).
• When apples are just barely starting to get tender, stir in sugar-cinnamon mixture.
• Continue cooking until sugar has dissolved into syrup.
• Serve with hot buttered biscuits and sausage on the side; or alongside ham or pork.

WINTER FRUIT COMPOTE WITH COGNAC

Steps:

• Put the figs, kumquats, prunes, sugar, Cognac and lemon zest in a saucepan with 2 cups/500 ml water and bring to a boil. Cook until the fruits are plump and the sauce syrupy. Turn off the heat and let the fruit macerate for 30 minutes. Pour into a serving dish (a cut glass bowl looks lovely) and let cool. Serve with creme fraiche and toasted almonds, or with a big spoonful of vanilla ice cream.