Szechuan Peppercorn Steak Au Poivre Food

STEAK AU POIVRE WITH BALSAMIC REDUCTION

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Crush peppercorns and coriander with a mortar and pestle, or with the bottom of a heavy skillet. Spread onto a large dish or a baking sheet.
• Season steaks with salt, and coat both sides with ground peppercorn mixture by patting into flesh. Heat oil in an ovenproof skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium-high heat. Sear steaks until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer skillet to oven, and cook steaks about 6 minutes, for medium-rare.
• Remove steaks from skillet, and let rest for 10 minutes, reserving juices. Meanwhile, wipe out skillet. Add vinegar, and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Swirl in reserved steak juices, and the butter. Slice steaks, and serve with sauce.

SICHUAN STEAK AU POIVRE WITH SCALLION MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Gather your ingredients.
• For the potatoes: Quarter the potatoes. Place potatoes and garlic, crushed away from skins, in a pot. Cover with cold water, cover and bring to a boil. When they boil, remove the lid, salt the water and cook to tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and rice into pot using a food mill or ricer.
• Meanwhile, warm half-n-half or milk and butter in a small pot over medium-low heat. Finely chop the scallions, whites and greens.
• For the steaks: Coarsely grind the peppercorns in mortar with pestle. Pat steaks dry, season with kosher salt and rub with peppercorn mixture. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
• Peel and finely chop the shallots. Peel ginger with tip of a teaspoon and have a fine grater on hand. Crush the garlic and discard skins and root.
• To skillet add EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, and melt in 1 tablespoon butter. Add steaks and cook 2 to 3 minutes to brown. Flip and cook 2 minutes more. Remove to platter. Add 2 tablespoons butter and when it foams add the shallots, garlic and grate in the ginger. Stir a minute or 2, then add sherry or cognac or brandy, stir, and add bone broth. Reduce by half, 2 to 3 minutes. Finish with creme fraiche to taste. Add beef back to pan and turn to warm in the sauce.
• Add hot milk and scallions to potatoes and season with salt and white pepper to taste.
• Place steaks on plates, top with sauce and cress and scallion potatoes alongside.

SIMPLE STEAK AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Put steaks in a shallow dish and season well on both sides with salt. Sprinkle black pepper and Sichuan pepper evenly over steaks. Press pepper into both sides with hands and leave for 10 minutes.
• Put a large cast iron skillet over high heat. When surface is nearly smoking, swirl 1 tablespoon butter in the pan and add steaks. Adjust heat as necessary to keep steaks sizzling briskly.
• Cook for 2 minutes on first side; seared side should be nicely browned. Flip and cook for 2 minutes more. Transfer steaks to a warm platter.
• Make the sauce: Add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Add shallots and sauté for a minute or so, stirring, until they begin to brown. Add broth and bring to a brisk simmer. Add Cognac and continue to simmer until reduced by half, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in crème fraîche and cook until sauce is lightly thickened.
• Return steaks to pan to warm, spooning sauce over them and turning once. Arrange steaks on platter or individual plates and top with more sauce. Garnish with bouquets of watercress and serve immediately.

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.