Bistro Steak Frites Recipes

BISTRO POMMES FRITES

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and cut lengthwise into sticks, about 1/3-inch thick, transferring them to a bowl of salted cold water as you work. Drain, and rinse until water runs clear. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Heat oil in a 14-inch straight-sided skillet until oil registers 375 degrees Fahrenheit on a deep-fry thermometer. Add half of the potatoes and distribute evenly. Cook, without stirring, until barely golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining potatoes. (Adjust heat between batches as necessary to keep oil at a steady temperature.) Potatoes may be prepared up to this point about 2 hours ahead of time.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove paper towels from baking sheets. Bake potatoes until golden and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven. Season with salt; toss. Serve immediately.

BISTRO STEAK FRITES

Steps:

• Trim a thin slice from each side of the long axis of each potato. Once each potato is "squared," slice it into 1/4-inch planks and then cut each plank into 1/4-inch fries. Rinse cut potatoes in large bowl under cold running water until water turns clear. Cover with cold water and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.
• Pour off water, spread potatoes onto kitchen towels, and thoroughly dry. Transfer potatoes to large bowl and toss with cornstarch until evenly coated. Transfer potatoes to wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet and let rest until fine white coating forms, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in heavy-bottomed 7 qt Dutch oven fitted with clip-on-the-pot candy thermometer, heat peanut oil over medium heat to 325 degrees F.
• Add half of potatoes, a handful at a time, to hot oil and increase heat to high. Fry, stirring, until potatoes start to turn from white to blond, 4 to 5 minutes. (Oil temperature will drop about 75 degrees during this frying.)
• Transfer fries to thick paper bag or paper towels. Return oil to 325 degrees F and repeat with remaining potatoes. Reduce heat to medium and let fries cool while cooking steaks, at least 10 minutes.
• Combine all herb butter ingredients in medium bowl. Set aside. Heat vegetable oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until smoking.
• Meanwhile, cut your steaks in half. If your steaks are 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 inches thick, cut them in half vertically into small, thick steaks. If your steaks are thicker than 1 3/4 inches, cut them in half horizontally into two thinner steaks.
• Next, season steaks with salt and pepper. Lay steaks in pan, leaving 1/4 inch between them. Cook, not moving steaks, until well browned, about 4 minutes.
• Using tongs, flip steaks and continue to cook until instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers 120 degrees F for rare to medium-rare, 3 to 7 minutes. Transfer steaks to large plate, top with butter, and tent loosely with foil; let rest while finishing fries.
• Increase heat under Dutch oven to high and heat oil to 375 degrees. Add half of fries, a handful at a time, and fry until golden brown and puffed, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a thick unopened paper bag or paper towels. Return oil to 375 degrees F and repeat with remaining fries. Season fries with salt and serve immediately with steaks.

FRENCH BISTRO STEAK ON GARLIC CROUTES AND POTATO FRITES

Steps:

• Potato Frites:.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In bowl, toss potatoes with oil, thyme, salt and pepper.
• Arrange on foil-lined rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake, turning once, for 40 minutes or until tender inside and crisp outside.
• While potatoes cook, start the Bistro Steak.
• Bistro Steak On Garlic Croutes:.
• Rub bread all over with cut side of garlic; brush with 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of the oil. Toast on baking sheet for 10 minutes or until golden.
• Meanwhile, trim off all but 1/8 inch (3 mm) fat from steak, if needed.
• Roll edges in peppercorns to coat.
• In skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat; cook steaks for 4 to 6 minutes per side or until medium-rare inside and browned. Transfer to plate; cover and keep warm.
• Add wine and stock to skillet; bring to boil, scraping up any brown bits. Boil for about 1 minute or until reduced by half. Remove from heat.
• Stir in red pepper, shallot, butter and any juices accumulated on plate.
• Cut steaks in half; place on croûtes.
• Pour sauce over top.
• Serve with Potato Frites.

STEAK FRITES

Steps:

• For the Steak:.
• Season steaks with salt and pepper on both sides. If you have time, let the salted steaks sit for 35 minutes in the fridge - they'll be a bit more juicy this way. If not, just season and cook.
• Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat until almost smoking.
• sear the steaks about 4 minutes per side, or until rare to medium rare.
• Remove, set aside and keep warm.
• At this point, you can simply deglaze the pan with your choice of water, wine, or even a combination of pepper, cream, brandy, and mustard and reduce to make a sauce for the steaks, but I prefer just a dab of butter.
• For the Frites:.
• Peel and cut the potatoes into about 1/4' matchsticks.
• Soak in cold water for at least 2 hours - overnight is fine.
• Drain the potatoes and transfer to large bowl. Toss with the cornstarch. Transfer to wire rack on rimmed baking sheet. If that's too much work, I sometimes just dry them on paper towels --
• Heat the peanut oil to 330 degrees F.
• Fry in a few batches for about 3 minutes - until it's partially cooked, but not yet browned.
• Remove each batch to drain on paper towel.
• Raise the temperature of the oil to about 375 degrees F.
• Fry potatoes again in batches for 1 or 2 minutes, or until golden and crispy - this will ensure that you have fries that will stay crispy, even if the butter gets to them.
• Serve immediately, go to confession*.
• *optional.