Pepper Crusted Beef With Cognac And Golden Raisins Recipes

STEAK AU POIVRE (PEPPERED STEAKS WITH COGNAC CREAM SAUCE)

Steps:

• In a saucepan, heat the cream until it reduces by half (20-30 minutes).
• In a saute pan, heat the oil and butter.
• Spread crushed peppercorns on a work surface.
• Pat the steaks dry and coat both sides with an even layer of peppercorns, pressing in with heel of hand to make adhere; season to taste with garlic salt.
• Lay the steaks in the pan.
• Sear steaks over high heat to desired doneness (the steaks are medium-rare when they feel slightly resistant to touch and you can see a faint pearling of red juice on the surface).
• Add bouillon, lemon juice, wine, and salt to the sauce, and stir.
• When the steaks have cooked, remove them from the pan; pour in the brandy.
• Ignite the brandy and, once the flames die down, stir to deglaze the pan; then add the brandy to the cream sauce.
• Place each steak on a toasted slice of bread and top with sauce.

FILET MIGNON WITH PEPPERCORN-COGNAC-CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Spread each side of the steaks with a thin layer of the mustard -- using about half of the mustard in the recipe. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to coat well.
• Heat oil and butter in a 9-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add steaks. Cook about 5- minutes on each side or until at your desired doneness.
• Remove steaks from the pan and allow to rest.
• Reduce heat to medium and add shallots to the pan. Saute for about 1 minute. Add cognac and cook for about 30 seconds. Add broth, cream, and remaining mustard. Reduce heat and whisk continuously. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until sauce begins to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to your taste but remember that the steaks are heavily seasoned.
• Serve steaks with the sauce.

PEPPER-CRUSTED BEEF WITH COGNAC AND GOLDEN RAISINS

Steps:

• To plump the raisins, heat the cognac in a small saucepan over low heat just to simmering. Remove from the heat. Add the raisins and set aside to plump, about 30 minutes.
• To pan-fry the steak, combine the white, black, and green peppercorns and allspice in a shallow bowl. Season the steaks with salt on both sides and press the peppercorns into one side of the steak.
• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the steaks, without crowding, pepper side down first, and cook each side for 3 to 5 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer the meat to a warm platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
• To make the pan sauce, pour off the fat from the skillet. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the raisins and cognac. Return the pan to high heat and bring to a boil. (If you have a gas cooktop especially, watch for flame-ups.) Cook until the mixture is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add the beef stock, decrease the heat to medium, and cook until slightly reduced, an additional 2 minutes.
• To finish the sauce with butter, remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the butter, one piece at a time. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt. No additional pepper is necessary.
• To serve, return the steaks and any accumulated juices to the skillet and baste with the sauce. Serve immediately.