Frequently Asked Questions
What is Entrecôte Bordelaise?
Entrecôte Bordelaise is a classic French dish featuring tender entrecôte steaks served with a rich sauce made from red wine and shallots.
What type of steak is used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically uses entrecôte steaks, which are high-quality rib eye cuts.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to serve 2 people.
What are the main ingredients for the Bordelaise sauce?
The sauce is composed of finely chopped shallots, red wine, demi-glace or beef stock, unsalted butter, and fresh parsley.
How should I season the steaks?
Season the steaks evenly on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper before cooking.
What is the first step in cooking the steaks?
The first step is to sear the seasoned steaks in a heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat with 50g of butter.
How long should I sear the steaks on each side?
Sear the steaks for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they reach your preferred level of doneness.
Should the steaks rest after cooking?
Yes, transfer the seared steaks to a warm plate and cover them loosely with foil to rest while you prepare the sauce.
How do I prepare the shallots for the sauce?
Finely chop the shallots and sauté them in the steak pan over medium heat until they are soft and caramelized.
What does it mean to deglaze the pan?
Deglazing involves pouring red wine into the pan and scraping the bottom to incorporate the flavorful browned bits left from the steak.
How much red wine is needed for the sauce?
You will need 100ml of red wine to deglaze the pan and flavor the sauce.
What can I use if I don't have demi-glace?
You can use 200ml of beef stock as an alternative to demi-glace for the sauce base.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer gently for about 5 minutes or until it thickens and reduces to your liking.
What is the secret to a glossy Bordelaise sauce?
The secret is gradually whisking in small cubes of cold butter at the end to emulsify the sauce and create a rich finish.
How should the steak be sliced for serving?
The rested steaks should be sliced against the grain into thick, even slices.
When should I add the parsley?
Stir the chopped parsley into the sauce just before serving to maintain its fresh color and flavor.
What traditional side dishes go well with this steak?
It is traditionally served with crispy sautéed potatoes, French frites, and tender haricots verts.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 600 calories.
What is the fat content of this dish?
A single serving contains about 40g of fat.
How much protein is in each serving?
This dish provides 35g of protein per serving.
Is there a lot of sodium in this recipe?
There is approximately 400mg of sodium per serving, though this may vary depending on how much salt you add to taste.
What is the carbohydrate count?
The dish contains 10g of carbohydrates per serving.
How many shallots are required?
The recipe calls for 2 finely chopped shallots.
What is the total amount of butter used?
The recipe uses 100g of unsalted butter in total, divided between searing and the sauce.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
The recipe specifies unsalted butter to better control the final seasoning, but salted can be used if you reduce the added salt.
What heat level is used for searing?
The skillet should be heated over high heat until it reaches the smoking point for a proper sear.
How should the sauce be served?
Spoon some sauce over the sliced steaks and serve the remainder in a gravy boat on the side.
What is the weight of each steak?
Each entrecôte steak should weigh approximately 300g.
Does this recipe include fiber?
Yes, there is approximately 1g of fiber per serving.
What region is this dish associated with?
This dish is a classic from the Bordeaux region of France, known for its red wine-based sauces.