Food Network

COOKING
•  Baking
•  Cooking Guides
•  Cooking Demos
•  Cooking For Kids
•  Culinary Q&A
•  Encyclopedia
•  Holiday Baking
•  International Cooking
•  Recipe Collections
•  Recipes of the Day

Click here for a random recipe. Get a new recipe every time you click!

Find a TV Show
Today's TV Schedule

Find an Episode
Episode Topic
Or was shown during

Sponsor
Recommendations

Email Print Full Page | Print 3x5 Card | Print 4x6 Card

Steak au Poivre
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005
See this recipe on air Wednesday Jul. 30 at 8:00 PM ET/PT.
Show:  Good Eats
Episode:  Tender is the Loin 1
4 tenderloin steaks, 6 to 8 ounces each and no more than 1 1/2 inches thick
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons whole peppercorns
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/3 cup Cognac, plus 1 teaspoon
1 cup heavy cream

Remove the steaks from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour prior to cooking. Sprinkle all sides with salt.

Coarsely crush the peppercorns with a mortar and pestle, the bottom of a cast iron skillet, or using a mallet and pie pan. Spread the peppercorns evenly onto a plate. Press the fillets, on both sides, into the pepper until it coats the surface. Set aside.

In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil. As soon as the butter and oil begin to turn golden and smoke, gently place the steaks in the pan. For medium-rare, cook for 4 minutes on each side. Once done, remove the steaks to a plate, tent with foil and set aside. Pour off the excess fat but do not wipe or scrape the pan clean.

Off of the heat, add 1/3 cup Cognac to the pan and carefully ignite the alcohol with a long match or firestick. Gently shake pan until the flames die. Return the pan to medium heat and add the cream. Bring the mixture to a boil and whisk until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Add the teaspoon of Cognac and season, to taste, with salt. Add the steaks back to the pan, spoon the sauce over, and serve.

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Intermediate
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Alton Brown
User Rating 5 Stars
 Rate Recipe  Read Reviews
 Ratings & Reviews FAQ


 
Shop For This Recipe
 

  Shop for Alton Brown products
  Shop for meat tools
  Shop for cookware
  Shop for cookbooks
  Visit the Food Network Store