Lamb Au Poivre Recipes

LAMB AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Coarsely crush peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or wrap in a kitchen towel and press on peppercorns with bottom of a heavy skillet.
• Pat chops dry and season with salt. Rub one side of each chop with peppercorns, pressing peppercorns into meat to adhere.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook chops, peppered sides up, 2 minutes. Turn chops over with tongs and cook, pressing down on each chop with side of tongs to help pepper adhere to meat, about 2 minutes more (for medium-rare). Transfer chops with tongs to a plate and let stand while making sauce.
• Pour off all but 2 teaspoons of fat from skillet if necessary, then sauté shallot, stirring, until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Add broth and Cognac and boil until reduced to about 1/4 cup, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and swirl in butter. Add any meat juices that have accumulated on plate and season with salt. Serve sauce over lamb.

LAMB CHOPS AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Use a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder to coarsely crush peppercorns, coriander and mustard and fennel seeds. Coat lamb chops on both sides, pressing the spices into the meat. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 3 hours. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.
• In a cast-iron skillet, heat oil on medium. Add chops and cook 7 minutes on one side. Turn chops, cover pan and cook about another 7 minutes for medium-rare, or until done to taste. Remove to a warm serving platter and cover loosely with foil.
• Pour off excess fat from pan. Add butter and cook on low until melted. Add shallots and cook on low until soft. Add stock, Cognac and creme fraiche and cook on medium, stirring, until sauce has thickened somewhat, about a minute. Season with salt.
• Place 2 chops on each of 2 dinner plates. Spoon sauce over and around. Scatter parsley on top and serve.

SIMPLE STEAK AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Put steaks in a shallow dish and season well on both sides with salt. Sprinkle black pepper and Sichuan pepper evenly over steaks. Press pepper into both sides with hands and leave for 10 minutes.
• Put a large cast iron skillet over high heat. When surface is nearly smoking, swirl 1 tablespoon butter in the pan and add steaks. Adjust heat as necessary to keep steaks sizzling briskly.
• Cook for 2 minutes on first side; seared side should be nicely browned. Flip and cook for 2 minutes more. Transfer steaks to a warm platter.
• Make the sauce: Add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Add shallots and sauté for a minute or so, stirring, until they begin to brown. Add broth and bring to a brisk simmer. Add Cognac and continue to simmer until reduced by half, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in crème fraîche and cook until sauce is lightly thickened.
• Return steaks to pan to warm, spooning sauce over them and turning once. Arrange steaks on platter or individual plates and top with more sauce. Garnish with bouquets of watercress and serve immediately.

LAMB AU POIVRE

Steps:

• 1. Coarsely crush peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or wrap in a kitchen towel and press on peppercorns with bottom of a heavy skillet.
• 2. Pat chops dry and season with salt. Rub one side of each chop with peppercorns, pressing peppercorns into meat to adhere.
• 3. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook chops, peppered sides up, 2 minutes. Turn chops over with tongs and cook, pressing down on each chop with side of tongs to help pepper adhere to meat, about 2 minutes more (for medium-rare). Transfer chops with tongs to a plate and let stand while making sauce.
• 4. Pour off all but 2 teaspoons of fat from skillet if necessary, then sauté shallot, stirring, until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Add broth and Cognac and boil until reduced to about 1/4 cup, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and swirl in butter. Add any meat juices that have accumulated on plate and season with salt. Serve sauce over lamb.