Savory Peppered Skirt Steak with Creamy Brandy Mushroom Sauce on Crostini
This irresistibly delicious dish combines the robust flavor of skirt steak with an indulgent creamy brandy mushroom sauce, creating a gourmet experience right at home. The pepper-crusted steak is grilled to perfection, providing a delightful contrast to the rich, silky sauce. Served over crispy toasted baguette slices, this meal is not only budget-friendly but also a great way to impress your guests. Pair it with a side of sautéed spinach or kale for a wholesome meal that doesn't compromise on flavor. Enjoy a restaurant-quality experience in the comfort of your dining room with this easy yet refined recipe.
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Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Skirt Steaks
2 lbs (trimmed, rubbed with olive oil, and seasoned)
Rough Ground Black Peppercorns
to taste (for seasoning)
Kosher Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Olive Oil
for grilling and to drizzle (for grilling steak and toasting bread)
Italian Bread
1 loaf (thinly sliced)
Minced Shallots
2 teaspoons (for sauce)
Sliced Cremini Mushrooms
2 cups (or white/button mushrooms)
Heavy Cream
1 1/2 cups (for sauce)
Beef Broth
1/2 cup (for sauce)
Brandy
1/3 cup (for sauce)
Chopped Scallions
2 (for garnish)
Butter
1 tablespoon (for sautéing sauce)
Instructions
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1. Steak Preparation: Start by rubbing a small amount of olive oil over the skirt steak. Generously season both sides with rough ground black pepper and kosher salt. For optimal flavor, I recommend grilling using an indoor grill pan for those beautiful grill marks, but feel free to use an outdoor grill or a large sauté pan. If necessary, cut the steaks into smaller pieces to fit your pan. Avoid broiling as it doesn't yield the best results. Cook the steak to medium-rare, adjusting the cooking time based on your desired doneness. Generally, aim for 5-7 minutes on the first side and slightly less on the second side, depending on thickness. Once done, remove from heat and cover with foil to rest.
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2. Sauce Creation: In a small pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced shallots and sliced cremini mushrooms, sautéing until they're lightly tender. Carefully add the brandy (you may choose to ignite it for a flambé effect, but always remove from heat first). Allow the flames to subside, then integrate the beef broth into the mixture. Let it simmer for about 4 minutes until most of the liquid has reduced by half, perfectly timing this with the steak's resting period.
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3. Toasting the Bread: Brush slices of Italian bread with olive oil and toast them on a grill or in the oven until both sides are lightly golden and crispy. This will create the ideal base to soak up the delicious sauce.
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4. Finishing the Sauce: Once the sauce has reduced, gently stir in the heavy cream. Heat over medium, ensuring not to let it boil; the goal is to warm the cream until it's just heated through and combined well with the mushroom mixture.
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5. Slicing the Steak: After the steak has rested, carefully slice it against the grain. This is crucial for a tender bite that melts in your mouth.
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6. Plating and Serving: On each serving plate, arrange a couple of toasted baguette slices. Layer the sliced steak atop the bread, then generously drizzle the creamy mushroom brandy sauce over the steak. Finish with a sprinkle of finely chopped scallions for a fresh touch. Enjoy your delightful creation!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary protein in this recipe?
The primary protein used in this recipe is 2 lbs of trimmed skirt steak.
How should I season the skirt steak?
Rub the steak with a small amount of olive oil and generously season both sides with rough ground black pepper and kosher salt.
What is the recommended cooking method for the steak?
It is recommended to use an indoor grill pan for beautiful grill marks, though an outdoor grill or a large sauté pan also works well.
Can I cook the skirt steak in a broiler?
No, broiling is not recommended for this recipe as it does not yield the best results for the skirt steak.
What is the ideal doneness for the steak?
The steak should be cooked to medium-rare, typically requiring 5-7 minutes on the first side and slightly less on the second side.
Why must the steak rest after cooking?
Resting the steak allows the juices to redistribute and provides time to finish the sauce reduction.
How should the skirt steak be sliced for serving?
The steak must be sliced against the grain to ensure a tender, melt-in-your-mouth bite.
What type of mushrooms are used in the brandy sauce?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of sliced cremini mushrooms, though white or button mushrooms can also be used.
What kind of alcohol is used for the cream sauce?
The sauce features 1/3 cup of brandy.
Can I flambé the brandy in the sauce?
Yes, you may ignite the brandy for a flambé effect, but always ensure the pot is removed from the heat source first.
How long should the beef broth simmer in the sauce?
The beef broth should simmer for about 4 minutes until the liquid has reduced by half.
What kind of bread is used for the crostini base?
A loaf of Italian bread or baguette, thinly sliced, is used as the base.
How do I prepare the bread slices?
Brush the bread slices with olive oil and toast them on a grill or in the oven until golden and crispy.
What aromatics are used in the mushroom sauce?
Two teaspoons of minced shallots are sautéed in butter to start the sauce.
How much heavy cream is added to the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream to create the rich, silky texture.
Is it okay to boil the sauce once the cream is added?
No, you should only heat the sauce over medium heat until the cream is warmed through; avoid letting it boil.
What is used as a garnish for this dish?
The dish is finished with a sprinkle of two finely chopped scallions.
What side dishes are recommended with this meal?
A side of sautéed spinach or kale is recommended for a wholesome, balanced meal.
What if the skirt steak is too long for my pan?
If the steak pieces are too large, you can cut them into smaller sections to fit your cooking surface.
How much butter is needed for the sauce?
One tablespoon of butter is used to sauté the shallots and mushrooms.
What type of salt is best for this recipe?
Kosher salt is specified for seasoning the steak.
Is this recipe considered budget-friendly?
Yes, the description notes that this is a budget-friendly way to enjoy a gourmet experience at home.
What flavor profile does the black pepper provide?
Rough ground black peppercorns create a pepper-crusted exterior that contrasts with the creamy sauce.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 total ingredients used in this recipe.
What is the role of the beef broth?
The beef broth adds depth to the sauce and is reduced to concentrate the flavor before adding cream.
Can I use olive oil for both the steak and the bread?
Yes, olive oil is used both for rubbing the steak and brushing the Italian bread.
Is the brandy sauce thick or thin?
The sauce is described as rich, silky, and creamy due to the reduction of broth and addition of heavy cream.
How do I assemble the final dish?
Layer the sliced steak over toasted bread slices and generously drizzle the mushroom brandy sauce on top.
What is the texture of the bread meant to be?
The bread should be crispy and toasted to provide a base that can soak up the sauce.
Can I substitute the cremini mushrooms?
Yes, white or button mushrooms are suitable substitutes for cremini mushrooms in this sauce.