Steak Diane
Serves 2
I believe that cooking for someone is an act of love and it worked for me as a single man and really still does after 21 years of marriage but I digress. Steak Diane is not something you’ll do every night but Valentines is special and the extra effort may result in something extra.
Use the shrimp and mushroom dish as a starter but kick it up a bit with a sparkling wine from California such as the 2000 Roderer L’Ermitage, $39.95 www.RoedererEstate.net
You’ll Need:
2 – 6 oz. Beef tenderloin steaks
1 or 2 Tbsp. Flour
1/4 tsp. Salt
4 Tbsp. Butter
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
2 c. thinly sliced white mushrooms
1 Tbsp. Minced shallots
¼ c. brandy
1/2 c. beef stock
Woody’s Way – I love to do this dish table side but unless you have the right gear it’s a bit tricky what with the flaming and all. Here’s a hint, invite your significant other into the kitchen to help with this special dish.
Here’s What To Do:
Depending on how thick the steaks are, either cut them into ¼ slices and use as is or cut in half and then flatten steaks between wax paper or plastic wrap so they are uniformly thin, set aside.
Mix the salt and pepper into the flour with your hand and then dredge steaks to coat, shake off the excess. Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in large, heavy bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add steaks and brown about one minute on each side; use tongs to remove steaks to platter. Spread both sides with the mustard and sprinkle with a few drops of Worchester Sauce; set aside.
In the same pan melt remaining butter. Add shallots and sauté briefly, add mushrooms and sauté for about two minutes. Turn heat up to high and as well as the exhaust fan, add brandy and flame (should ignite by itself on a gas cook top but you’ll need a long match handy for electric). Allow the flame to burn out and then stir in half of the beef stock to create a sauce, add more if you need it. You may want to reduce the heat to medium high, allow the sauce to reduce until thickened. Return steaks to pan and reheat for about 2 minutes. Remove steaks to serving dishes and top with sauce and mushrooms.
Serve with Fettuccini Verdi – spinach pasta tossed with walnuts and Parmesan cheese (recipe follows) and some crusty bread.
For you in the Chicagoland area
To Have This Recipe Prepared for You Click on Private Cooking
What Goes With What Wines Selections
Cantenac St. Emilion ’03, Bordeaux (Bordeaux)
St. Emilion along with Pomeral are the two best known east bank Bordeaux regions which feature Merlot based blends over Cabernet. This is Cantenac’s regular cuvee but it is still elegant and seductive, you’ll know its French wine. It works with the food because of its’ medium-body and plenty of black cherry fruit, dried herbs, earthiness, and spicy wood. If you enjoyed it, get a few more bottles because it should drink well for 5-6 years. R 87 $32.99
Ch Souverain Merlot ’02, Alexander Valley (Merlot)
Five years of barrel and bottle aging has created a lovely wine with aromas of plum, black currant and a hint of cedar and brown spice that comes from aging in French oak barrels. The Merlot standards are in place, round, soft tannins and a gently frame a concentrated flavor profile. R89 $18.99