Tarragon Mushroom Steak Sauce Recipes

TARRAGON STEAK SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine wine, vinegar, and herbs in a double boiler.
• Cook until it is reduced by half.
• Scramble the egg yolks and salt in a blender or food processor (I prefer a blender).
• Add the wine/herb mixture to the eggs in the blender/processor.
• Now melt the butter in a saucepan until it is very hot bubbly.
• Turn on the blender/processor, and pour very hot butter through the cork in the blender lid or through the top of the food processor (you must do this while the machine is blending!) This will cook the egg mixture. Whip until everything is mixed and smooth like a mayonnaise.
• Serve right away, usually on the side for dipping, or you can spoon some on top of the steak.

SAUTEED MUSHROOMS WITH TARRAGON CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• First wipe the button mushrooms clean with a damp paper towel. Slice the morels in half first and check for bugs that might have crawled inside. If using fresh morels, wash them first; if dried you may reconsititue them by soaking them in warm water for 30 minutes.
• Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a pan and saute the button mushrooms over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes or until done. Set these aside.
• Now melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the same pan and saute the shallots over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes. Add the sliced morels and sauted for a minute more.
• Reduce the heat slightly and deglaze the pan with the wine. Stir in the stock and cream. Add the tarragon and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Let the sauce bubble for a few minutes until it reaches the desired consistency, then add the mushrooms back in and heat through.
• Serve with crostini (slices of a French bagette, toasted).

BAVETTE STEAK WITH CHIPS, TARRAGON & MUSHROOM SAUCE & WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• Remove the steak from the fridge at least 1 hr before cooking and let it come to room temperature. The steak should have an even 1cm thickness, so lightly bash any thicker areas with a meat hammer or rolling pin. Scatter the salt over both sides of the steak and set aside.
• To prepare the chips, bring a large pan of water to a simmer and cook them for about 10 mins. Test with a fork after 6 mins - they should be very tender with slightly rough edges. If they're not yet ready, cook for the remaining time and check again. Carefully transfer to a wire rack using a slotted spoon and leave to steam-dry. You want them to be as dry as possible before frying.
• Next, make the sauce. Melt the butter in a small frying pan until foaming, then fry the shallots and garlic until soft, around 5 mins. Add the mushrooms and cook for 1-2 mins more until they release some of their moisture. While the veg is cooking, bring the cream and tarragon stems to a simmer in a small pan. Pour through a sieve into the pan with the mushroom mixture. Stir, then reduce the heat and continue to cook the sauce until slightly thickened and smooth. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• To fry the chips, tip the oil into a deep pan, making sure the pan is no more than two-thirds full, and ideally with a frying basket. Heat the oil to 180C. If you don't have a thermometer, you can check the temperature by dropping in one of the chips - if it sizzles immediately, it's ready. Deep-fry the chips in batches, making sure you don't overcrowd the pan, for 5-6 mins per batch until golden and crisp at the edges. Tip out of the frying basket onto kitchen paper (or remove with a slotted spoon) and leave to drain. Keep warm in a low oven while you cook the steak.
• Heat a heavy-bottomed frying pan over a high heat until smoking hot. Pat the steak dry with kitchen paper (the salt will have drawn out some moisture), then drizzle with the oil. Cook for 3-4 mins on each side for medium-rare, or until cooked to your liking. Transfer to a board or plate and leave to rest - keep warm by covering with foil. Pour any resting juices into the sauce.
• Reheat the sauce, then, using a very sharp knife, carve the steak across the grain into 1-2cm slices (or four equal steaks, if you prefer). Drizzle the sauce over the steak, scatter over the tarragon leaves, and serve with the chips and watercress on the side.