Monday, November 21, 2011

STEAK DIANE

I buy this cookbook several years ago which enchants me as I see a very popular recipe therein. Called Steak Diane, it is all the rage in New York City restaurants back in the 1950’s and 60’s. This beefsteak makes a lovely entree but what sets it apart from other steaks is its distinct preparation technique. Like the popular Crepes Suzette, Steak Diane is a flambé dish prepared tableside on a trolley (called a gueridon). The theatrics of the tableside cooking coupled with the flaming cognac makes Steak Diane a dining sensation.

The flambé process offers a captivating demonstration for onlooking diners, but aside from that charming amusement it also improves the taste, given that ignited alcohol intensifies the sauce’s flavour. It does this through a chemical process called carmelization, which causes the sugars to undergo complex changes, whilst for our purposes results in exponentially more deliciousness. Alcohol boils in a pan at 212F but igniting it directly raises the temperature to 300F +, which in turn elevates the flavour aspect to a more celestial dimension. All right, enough already.

If you want to add some excitement to a dinner party you could serve this retro dish. Not only will your guests be enthralled by the flambéing, which they probably haven’t experienced for awhile, they will also savour the taste of this elegantly finished beefsteak. Flambeing is not complicated, but please observe basic safety considerations just as you would when lighting a fireplace or whatever. You don’t want to meet your local fire department by accident, ne c’est pas?

Adapted from Craig Claiborne of the New York Times cookbook:

Steak Diane                                       serves 4

4 (3-ounce) filet mignon medallions
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon clarified butter, or:
½ tablespoon butter plus ½ tablespoon olive oil
4 teaspoons minced shallots or the white part of scallions
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup sliced white mushroom caps
1/4 cup brandy
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup reduced beef broth
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Bring the beef to room temperature. Season the beef medallions on both sides with the salt and pepper. Let sit 5 minutes prior to cooking.

Melt the butter/oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the meat and sear for 45 seconds on the first side. Turn and cook for 45 seconds on the second side.

 Lower heat a little to prevent scorching. Add the shallots and garlic to the side of the pan and cook, stirring, for 20 seconds.
Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, until soft, 2 minutes. Place the meat on a plate and cover to keep warm.

 Depending on how you want your steak cooked, you can use your hand to judge doneness. Take your non-dominant hand and press your index finger to your thumb. Touch with the other hand. That is how the meat should feel for cooked rare. Thumb and middle finger for medium rare, thumb and ring finger for medium and thumb and little finger for well done.

Off heat, tilt the pan towards you and add the brandy.
Tip the pan away from yourself and ignite the brandy with a match.
When the flame has burned out, add the mustard and cream.

Mix thoroughly and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Add the beef broth and simmer for 1 minute.
Add the Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine.
Return the meat plus any accumulated juices to the pan and turn the meat to coat with the sauce.

There you have it. If it’s okay to play with matches you can make a spellbinding beef presentation that delights the eyes and the taste buds one after the other.

Steak Diane goes well with a simple sautéed potato dish or a rice pilaf. Just remember to observe caution with that open flame.

23 comments:

Nicki Elson said...

Oh man, we gotta get this back on restaurant menus! By the way, you're such a rebel posting a steak recipe on Thanksgiving week. ;)

anthony stemke said...

HEY NICKI: But yeah, this would be popular if offered.
Not realy a rebel, tried to post last week but had trouble with computer.
Am in central Florida visiting daughter's family and am contributing broccoli-cauliflower au gratin for Thanksgiving day.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.

Torviewtoronto said...

lovely wonderful flavours looks delicious

Jolene Perry said...

I was right. My mouth was watering from the beginning.
SO good.

anthony stemke said...

TORVIEW: Yes, a wonderful beefsteak dish.

JOLENE: It is THAT good.

NATURAL ONE: Happy thanksgiving to you.

Kathy said...

This looks and sounds so delicious. I'm not a big steak fan, but this one I could learn to like....but I might wait awhile until the burns we have heal at least a little.
Mmmmm...sympathy burns eh?? I never heard that one before. It's give us something to talk about and the kids to remind us about. he,he
Thanks for checking out my posts.
Kathy

Joyce said...

This looks fabulous! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal too. We added a really delicious creamy wild rice soup to the menu this year... I am going to post it on my blog next week-I'll let you know as it is definitely a keeper !

Unknown said...

i hope you had a good thankgiving day .. this is a very interesting dish that i'm going to made ..it'd be very delicious...blessing simmy from Italy...

anthony stemke said...

KATHY: Thanks for calling, yours and his burns will be healed in a few more days. I've had beaucoup kitchen accidents, you cannot be too careful with hot5 things, particularly fats.

JOYCE: Creamy wild rice soup sounds very good, last soup I made recently was cauliflower with a touch of allspice.

SIMMY: We did, thanks. Steak Diane used to be very popular and then fell out of fashion. But it is a terrific dish.
Ciao ciao.

Maeve Frazier said...

I can't wait to make this recipe. It sounds delicious!

Leovi said...

Beautiful sky with pinkish tones and those pretty orange tree with a photo is very poetic. Happy weekend.

Golden Eagle said...

Flambe certainly looks impressive . . . not sure I'd want to try it, though, what with all the flames. :P Thanks for the recipe, though!

anthony stemke said...

MAEVE: You will love this when you do. Thank You.

LEOVI: Thank You for calling, happy weekend to you.

THE GOLDEN EAGLE: Observing normal fire safety precautions, Steak Diane is simple and easy and safe. But maybe you could get a friend to prepare it. Either way, Thank's for calling.

Stephanie said...

I love these old school dishes that have there own name. It maybe that not everyone was cooking, but the ones who did sure took it seriously. Nice post!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Oh my gosh! I didn't realise Steak Diane was meant to be a flambé dish! Ah, the good ole days when we had performances at the restaurant tables.

Sylvia Ney said...

The picture looks delicious, but I will refrain from cooking flambe with two toddlers in the house! ;-)

Sylvia
http://writersshelflife.blogspot.com

Sarah Naveen said...

So much flavors..yumm!

Alexis AKA MOM said...

I've heard of it but have never tried it. But that picture above makes my mouth water. I bet my hubs would love that!

Elizabeth said...

Yummy blog.

NEW FOLLOWER

Elizabeth

http://silversolara.blogspot.com

anthony stemke said...

STEPHANIE: Thank You, I do too.

LYNDA R.: You're right, it was quite a sight.

SYLVIA: Safety first Sylvia, good idea.

anthony stemke said...

SARAH: Thank You, I totally agree.

ALEXIS AKA: If he likes beef he will love this.

ELIZABETH: Thank You and welcome.

LoLy said...

I loooooooove cooking, but I am always scared of cooking a steak, i guess now i will give it a try.. Thank you

Unknown said...

i copy immediatly this recipe i'm boig to try it as soon as possible even if I knw that in Usa you have the best meat of the world..blessing simmy

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