Peppercorn Cognac Sauce Recipes

STEAK AU POIVRE

Steps:

• 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 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.
• Melt the butter and olive oil in a 10-inch carbon-steel pan over medium heat. 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, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the remaining teaspoon of Cognac and season to taste with salt. Add the steaks back to the pan, spoon the sauce over, and serve.

PEPPERCORN SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook steaks and keep them in one layer in skillet. Remove steaks from skillet and skim all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pan juices in the skillet. To skillet add, shallots and minced garlic and cook them for 1 to 2 minutes until softened. Deglaze with Cognac, scraping up bits which cling to skillet. Add stock or canned beef broth and peppercorns. In a small bowl combine cup heavy cream and cornstarch. Whisk cornstarch mixture into sauce and simmer until lightly thickened. Whisk in mustard and pour juices from plate into pan.

FILET MIGNON WITH PEPPERCORN-COGNAC-CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Spread each side of the steaks with a thin layer of the mustard -- using about half of the mustard in the recipe. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to coat well.
• Heat oil and butter in a 9-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add steaks. Cook about 5- minutes on each side or until at your desired doneness.
• Remove steaks from the pan and allow to rest.
• Reduce heat to medium and add shallots to the pan. Saute for about 1 minute. Add cognac and cook for about 30 seconds. Add broth, cream, and remaining mustard. Reduce heat and whisk continuously. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until sauce begins to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to your taste but remember that the steaks are heavily seasoned.
• Serve steaks with the sauce.

AU POIVRE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the shallots and sauté, stirring occasionally, until they are nearly translucent, about 2 minutes.
• Raise the heat to high, and add the pepper and brandy to the pan. Simmer the brandy for one minute. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Cook until the mixture has reduced to about 1/3 cup, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the evaporated milk into the cornstarch.
• Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the sauce. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with salt to taste, and serve.
• healthy tips
• Got (evaporated) milk? Try replacing heavy cream with evaporated skim milk in cooked foods like sauces, custards, pies, and cakes. At 25 calories per 2-tablespoon serving, compared to 40 calories for cream (and none of those coming from fat), you can have your custard and eat it, too.
• nutrition information
• Fat: 14g (before), 0.6g (after)
• Calories: 152 (before), 23 (after)
• Protein: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Cholesterol: 2mg
• Fiber: 0g
• Sodium: 51mg