steak

Steak "Bavette" with Shallots ("bavette a l'achalotte")

steak bavette
Prep time: 30
Yield:1 ()

Ingredients:

  • 4 c shallots, thinly sliced
  • 2 T canola oil, plus 1 tablespoon separated
  • 2 T unsalted butter, plus more as needed
  • 0 salt and pepper
  • 2 t sherry vinegar
  • 2 T dry red wine plus 1/4 cup (separated)
  • 1 c flavorful stock (veal, beef, chicken, vegetable)
  • 1 T italian parsley, chopped
  • 2 steaks 1"-1&1/2" thick, 10 oz each (preferably an outside cut skirt or hanger (onglet). but a flavorful rib eye or a new yor

Directions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees F. 2. Heat a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add the butter and oil. Once the butter melts add all the shallots and stir to coat well. Turn the heat to medium. Continue stirring often so that the shallots cook evenly. 3. After 3-4 minutes the shallots should be quite soft and beginning to caramelize. Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the sherry vinegar. Continue to cook and stir until the vinegar is nearly reduced to nothing and absorbed into the shallots. Add 2 tablespoons of the red wine and repeat the process. When the shallots have become somewhat jammy in consistency remove them from the pan and transfer to a plate. 4. Add the remaining 1/4 cup wine to the pan to de-glaze. Once all the bits of onion a have loosened from the bottom of the pan and the wine has reduced down to about 1 tablespoon add the stock. Continue reducing until about 1/2 cup of red wine jus remains. Pour this through a strainer and set aside in a warm place. 5. Season the steaks well on both sides with salt and pepper. Turn the heat to high and add another tablespoon canola oil to the same skillet you used for the shallots. When the oil is good and hot slide the steaks into the pan. I use the 3-second rule. If you cannot hold your hand 4 inches above the hot pan for more than 3 seconds, then the temperature is good. 6. Drop in a pat of butter, basting the steaks as it melts. Sear them for 2 minutes before turning them over. They should be nicely browned. 7. Turn the heat to medium (the iron pan will retain a lot of heat) and cook the steaks an additional 4 minutes. 8. Transfer the steaks to a jelly roll pan and set them aside while you prep the shallots. 9. Return the shallots to the iron skillet. Add the red wine “jus”, a tablespoon of butter and the chopped parsley. Stir to combine and turn the heat off. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Possibly a little more vinegar, though be judicious with the vinegar. 10. Pour any of the juices that have accumulated on the baking sheet with the steaks into the skillet of shallots. Place the steaks into the oven for about 4 minutes for rare and 5 minutes for medium rare. 2 minutes longer if you prefer medium. Any longer than that and you might as well throw the steaks in the garbage. I am serious! 11. To serve: Transfer the steaks to dinner plates and heap the shallots on top of each steak. The more the better. I like about a cup per person. You might as well use them all. Pour any remaining liquid evenly divided between both plates. Give it a big grind of black pepper. 12. Let the steaks rest for several moments while you dress some greens with a simple herby vinaigrette. You may also serve this with a big helping of frites on the side.

Notes:

serves 2
strip steak grilled scallions

I love the ambience of a good old-fashioned chophouse. Red leather booths, dark lighting, questionable martinis, and oh yeah, steak.

Usually damn good steak too. That's because a good chophouse makes no apologies for its red-meat-centric position. So there is no need to hide behind any of the foodie pretensions of the moment.

Chophouses do meat. Several cuts, all of them grilled.

Chophouses were never simply restaurants. In another time, on another continent, the original English chophouses could easily be called the16th century gastro-pubs (to borrow an au currant foodie phrase) of their time.

Sippity Sup Continues »

Marinated Strip Steak with Grilled Scallions and Feta

grilled strip steak
Prep time: 120
Yield:1 ()

Ingredients:

  • 2 boneless strip steaks (10 oz each)
  • 2 bn scallions
  • 0.5 c worcestershire sauce
  • 0.25 c soy sauce
  • 1 T prepared horseradish
  • 0.25 t fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 pn cayenne pepper
  • 1 lemon, zest only
  • 0 coarse salt
  • 0 feta cheese (to taste)

Directions

Place steaks in a large, non-reactive shallow sided pan, just large enough to hold them comfortably. Slice 1 bunch of scallions into small rounds (white and light green parts only). Combine these with the Worcestershire, soy, horseradish, black pepper, cayenne and lemon zest in a small bowl; whisk to combine. Pour the marinade over the steaks and cover with plastic wrap. Let the steaks sit about 1 hour at room temperature, turning them once. Heat the grill. Remove the steaks from the marinade, letting the excess drip off and remove any of the clinging scallion slices. Generously season both sides with some coarse salt. Grill until they are browned on the outside. For medium-rare cook about 5-6 minutes per side. Transfer the grilled steaks to a large serving platter, covering them loosely with foil. Make sure you allow the steam to escape, so that they do not overcook while resting about 10 minutes. In the meantime, grill the second bunch of scallions left whole, about 2 minutes per side, until well marked and softened. Serve them with the steaks and a crumbling of the feta cheese.

Notes:

serves 2

Let's talk about steak.

I over heard some people talking in a restaurant recently about steak. The point one of the diners was trying to make was that in tough economic times people turn from "better" cuts of meat to the "cheaper" cuts of meat.

His point made sense to me. I suppose people do exactly that.

But then his next statement floored me. He said, "So when I cook a steak at home I force myself to buy something like a flank or skirt steak. But when eating in a nice restaurant I always order the filet, no matter what the price".

I almost choked on my hanger steak!

I would advise just the opposite. While true that a good filet has a lovely soft tender texture. It cuts like "buttah" and we have been programmed to believe that means it tastes better. However, all filets, good, bad, or indifferent; cooked at home or at a Michelin starred restaurant are relatively flavorless. Why do you think people wrap them in bacon?

Sippity Sup Continues »