Courvoisier Cream Sauce Recipes

FILET OF BEEF AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Place the filets on a board and pat them dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the filets with salt and then press the black pepper evenly on both sides. Allow to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter and the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat until the butter almost smokes. Place the steaks in the pan and lower the heat to medium. Saute the steaks for 4 minutes on 1 side and then for 3 minutes on the other side, for medium rare. Remove the steaks to a serving platter and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
• Meanwhile, pour all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the saute pan. Add the shallots and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the beef broth and cook over high heat for 4 to 6 minutes, until reduced by half, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the Cognac and cook for 2 more minutes. Off the heat, swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve the steaks hot with the sauce poured on top.

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.

PAELLA INSPIRED SEAFOOD PASTA WITH A COGNAC CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt half of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add half of the shallots and some of the paella spice blend. Add the cream and simmer for 5 minutes. Then add the cheese and half the garlic and whisk quickly until thick. Add a quarter of the seafood stock, the cognac and lemon zest to the sauce and let this reduce until thick and creamy. Add salt to taste.
• Soak the dried rice noodles in warm water to soften.
• Sprinkle the crab meat, shrimp and lobster with some paella spice blend and salt. Take some of your noodles and lay on a flat surface. Add a portion of crab meat, shrimp and lobster in the middle of the noodles and wrap them. Repeat steps for the "rice noodle bundles of seafood."
• Heat the oil in a heavy pot and deep fry the noodle bundles until golden, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oil, drain on paper towels and season with sea salt immediately.
• In a skillet add the remaining butter, garlic and shallots and cook over medium-high heat. Add the remaining seafood stock and the lemon juice. Add the mussels to the broth and steam until opened.
• Place the fried seafood bundle in the middle of a bowl and spoon sauce around. Place mussels in each corner of the bowl (4 per serving). Garnish with chopped parsley.

COGNAC SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a heavy medium-size saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the shallots and garlic and saute until transparent, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• Then add the cognac and flame.
• To do this, remove the saucepan from the heat and touch a lighted match to the edge of the pan; the fumes of the cognac will ignite.
• Holding the pan away from you, allow the flames to die down naturally.
• Add the stock and cream and simmer over low heat until thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add the mushrooms and continue to simmer 3 to 5 minutes more.
• Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.