A Classic Steak Frites Recipes

STEAK-FRITES

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, make small incisions, about 1 1/2 inches apart in the fat around the outside of each steak.
• Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large heavy skillet or sauté pan over high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the steaks and sear for 1 minute on each side. Reduce the heat to medium. Season the steaks generously with salt and pepper and continue cooking, turning the steaks every other minute, until you see little pearls of blood come to the surface, about 6 to 8 minutes. The steaks should be cooked rare to medium for juicy, tender meat.
• Remove the steaks and place them on warmed plates. Over medium heat, deglaze the pan with the water and swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Drizzle these pan juices over the meat and serve at once with fries.

STEAK FRITES

Steps:

• Heat 1 1/2 to 2 inches oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat to 325 F degrees. Cut potatoes into thin slices lengthwise. Cut each slice into thin shoestring strips. Place cut potatoes on paper towels. Place 2 generous handfuls of potatoes at a time into hot oil, in 2 batches. Par cook the potatoes 2 minutes and transfer to a towel lined plate. Raise heat to medium high up to 375 degrees F. Allow oil to rise to a higher temperature, 3 to 5 minutes. Return potatoes to oil in 2 batches to crisp them, cooking them to a deep, golden brown color, another 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Remove potatoes from oil to clean towels to drain. Season with fine salt and serve.
• For steaks, heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add a little oil to the pan, 1 turn. Season steaks with salt and pepper. Place steaks in skillet and sear 2 minutes on each side. Reduce heat to medium and cook steaks 6 minutes longer for medium rare, 8 for medium to medium well. Remove steaks to a warm plate to rest. Add 2 tablespoons butter and the shallots to the pan. Cook shallots 2 or 3 minutes, add flour to the pan and cook a minute longer. Whisk wine into pan and lift pan drippings up. Add the last tablespoon of butter and remove the pan from the heat. Spoon wine and shallot sauce over the steaks and serve with hot, shoestring potatoes.

STEAK "FRITES"

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place two baking sheets in oven. Peel potatoes; cut into 1/4-inch sticks. Place in a bowl; toss with olive oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Carefully remove baking sheets from oven; coat with cooking spray. Divide potatoes between the hot baking sheets in a single layer. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes.
• While potatoes are cooking, heat a cast-iron or heavy skillet over medium heat until very hot. Place filet slices in a layer of plastic wrap; lightly pound with the flat side of a meat tenderizer until 1/2 inch thick. Season steaks on both sides with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sear in hot skillet until browned on both sides and medium rare in center, about 2 minutes per side. Serve immediately with fries and Dijon mustard.