Top Pickers

Steak with Peppercorn Sauce

This classic dish is just so delicious there's no wonder that it has lasted the test of time. Use the best dry-aged steaks you can find and make sure you give them plenty of time to rest before serving them - this allows all the juices to settle.

4
Steak with Peppercorn Sauce
  • 1 tbsp white peppercorns
  • 1 tbsp black peppercorns
  • Fillet, sirloin or rump steak, about 1½ inch thick
  • 2 tsp groundnut oil
  • 50g (2oz) unsalted butter
  • 2 shallots, finely chopped
  • 85ml (3fl oz) fresh beef stock (from a carton is fine)
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 6 tbsp double cream
  • 1 tsp drained green peppercorns in brine, rinsed
  • 2 tbsp brandy
  • salt, to taste
  • chips and watercress salad, to serve
  • 1 tbsp white peppercorns
  • 1 tbsp black peppercorns
  • Fillet, sirloin or rump steak, about 1½ inch thick
  • 2 tsp groundnut oil
  • 50g (2oz) unsalted butter
  • 2 shallots, finely chopped
  • 85ml (3fl oz) fresh beef stock (from a carton is fine)
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 6 tbsp double cream
  • 1 tsp drained green peppercorns in brine, rinsed
  • 2 tbsp brandy
  • salt, to taste
  • chips and watercress salad, to serve
Copy Text

Step 1

Place the peppercorns in a pestle and mortar and lightly crush down, then tip on to a flat plate. Pat the steaks dry with kitchen roll and press the mixed peppercorns on to both sides of the steaks, using your hands. If you have time, cover with foil or clingfilm and leave at room temperature for 2-3 hours to allow the flavours to infuse.

Step 2

Heat the oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over a high heat. Add the steaks and cook for 2 minutes on each side, then reduce the heat, add half the butter and cook the steaks for 5-10 minutes, turning once, depending on how rare you like it. Transfer the steaks to a plate, season with salt and set aside in a warm place to rest while you make the sauce.

Step 3

Pour away any excess fat from the pan, add the remaining butter and fry the shallots for a few minutes until softened but not browned. Add the stock, Worcestershire sauce and cook rapidly, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release any sediment. Stir in the mustard, cream and green peppercorns, then season to taste with salt and just warm through. Heat the brandy in a ladle over a flame and wait until it ignites, then pour over the cream, stirring to combine.

Step 4

Arrange the steaks on warmed plates, stirring any juices from the rested steaks into the peppercorn sauce. Drizzle the peppercorn sauce over the steaks and serve at once with the chips and watercress salad.

Copy Text

Step 1

Place the peppercorns in a pestle and mortar and lightly crush down, then tip on to a flat plate. Pat the steaks dry with kitchen roll and press the mixed peppercorns on to both sides of the steaks, using your hands. If you have time, cover with foil or clingfilm and leave at room temperature for 2-3 hours to allow the flavours to infuse.

Step 2

Heat the oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over a high heat. Add the steaks and cook for 2 minutes on each side, then reduce the heat, add half the butter and cook the steaks for 5-10 minutes, turning once, depending on how rare you like it. Transfer the steaks to a plate, season with salt and set aside in a warm place to rest while you make the sauce.

Step 3

Pour away any excess fat from the pan, add the remaining butter and fry the shallots for a few minutes until softened but not browned. Add the stock, Worcestershire sauce and cook rapidly, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release any sediment. Stir in the mustard, cream and green peppercorns, then season to taste with salt and just warm through. Heat the brandy in a ladle over a flame and wait until it ignites, then pour over the cream, stirring to combine.

Step 4

Arrange the steaks on warmed plates, stirring any juices from the rested steaks into the peppercorn sauce. Drizzle the peppercorn sauce over the steaks and serve at once with the chips and watercress salad.