Watercress Butter Recipes

PEPPERED RIB-EYE STEAKS WITH WATERCRESS

Steps:

• Season steaks on both sides with pepper, lightly patting it on. Place a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season steaks to taste with salt, then place in dry skillet. Sear steaks without moving them until they are brown and crusty on undersides (about 4 minutes for medium-rare meat; adjust to taste). Turn steaks, and sear for 4 minutes more. Transfer steaks to a serving platter.
• Pour off any excess fat, and add wine to skillet. Cook over low heat until wine is reduced by half, about 30 seconds. Pour wine reduction over steaks.
• Wipe out skillet, and return to medium-low heat. Melt butter in skillet, and add watercress. Increase heat to high, and toss watercress until wilted, about 1 minute. Season to taste with salt, and arrange around steaks. To serve, cut steaks in half. Place a portion on each of four plates, accompanied by a serving of watercress.

SAUTEED RADISHES AND WATERCRESS

Steps:

• Heat butter with oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté radishes with salt and pepper, stirring occasionally, 6 minutes. Add water and cook, covered, until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes, then cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until liquid is evaporated, 1 to 4 minutes. Add watercress and sauté, stirring, until wilted, about 1 minute.

ROAST LEG OF LAMB WITH GARLIC & WATERCRESS BUTTER

Steps:

• Remove the lamb from the fridge 1 hr before cooking. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 4. Use the tip of a knife to make 20-25 small slits in the lamb, then set aside in a roasting tin. Blitz the watercress, garlic and anchovies in a food processor until smooth, then add the butter and pulse to combine.
• Season the lamb, then spread over half of the butter mixture, pushing into the slits as well. Break the rosemary sprigs into pieces and tuck into the slits. Season, cover with foil and cook for 1 hr 20 mins for medium (a thermometer should read 55C), or 1 hr 40 mins, if you prefer the meat well done. Uncover the lamb halfway through cooking and spread over the remaining butter, then put back in the oven uncovered for the remaining time.
• Meanwhile, blitz the sourdough in a food processor to make coarse crumbs. Toss with the oil and parmesan and spread out flat on a baking sheet. Put in the oven underneath the lamb for the last 20 mins of cooking, or until lightly golden and crunchy. Leave the lamb to rest, covered, for 30 mins, then slice and sprinkle over the crumbs.

WATERCRESS SANDWICHES

Steps:

• The Watercress Butter: In a food processor, blend the butter, watercress leaves, lemon juice, black pepper and cayenne pepper until the mixture is very smooth. Let the mixture stand for about 30 minutes at room temperature or chill it, but bring it back to room temperature before using.
• Watercress Sandwiches: Spread each slice of bread with about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the watercress butter, and cut 4 rounds from each slice with a 4-cm (11/2 inch) round or fluted cutter.
• Arrange a watercress sprig on half the rounds, leaving a little extending over the edge of each and invert the remaining rounds on top to complete the sandwiches.
• Serve the sandwiches on a tray decorated with the extra watercress sprigs.

WATERCRESS BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor.
• Mix on high speed for 30 seconds.

ONGLET STEAK WITH WATERCRESS BUTTER AND SHOESTRING POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7. Put the butter in a food processor with 80g of the watercress, the garlic, lemon zest and a pinch each of salt and pepper, then whizz until combined. Lay a sheet of cling film on the work surface, then spoon the butter along one edge. Roll up into a log, twist the ends to seal, then chill until needed.
• Spread out the potato strands on a large oven tray (or 2 smaller trays) and toss with the rosemary and 2 tbsp olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, then bake for 10 minutes. Toss using a sturdy spatula (the potatoes can stick), then bake for 3-5 minutes more until some are completely crisp and others are softer. Finely chop 20g of the remaining watercress, then toss with the potatoes along with the parsley and parmesan.
• For the steak, heat a griddle pan over a high heat until smoking hot. Brush the steaks with a little olive oil and season well. Cook for 2½ minutes on one side, pressing down with a spatula to get a good colour, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes for medium-rare or until done to your liking. Transfer to a board and top with a couple of sliced discs of the watercress butter, then cover lightly with foil and leave to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with the shoestring potatoes and the rest of the watercress, dressed with a little olive oil.

SAUTEED RADISHES AND WATERCRESS

Steps:

• Trim radishes and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch wedges.
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then saute radish wedges with salt, stirring, until crisp-tender, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a platter and keep warm, loosely covered.
• Saute garlic in remaining tablespoon butter in skillet over moderately high heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add watercress and saute, covered, until wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Return radish wedges to skillet to reheat quickly and serve.