What Is Steak au Poivre?

Steak au poivre is a classic French dish that translates to “pepper steak”. Traditionally made with a tender cut like filet mignon, the steak is seared to perfection and finished with a rich pan sauce made with cognac, cream and crushed peppercorns.

The beauty of this dish lies in the sauce—it’s made right in the same pan used to cook the steaks, so you get all the savory browned bits and juices left behind. This makes the sauce irresistibly good.

With just two main steps—cooking the steaks and preparing the sauce—this recipe is surprisingly quick and approachable. One key tip: have all your ingredients measured and ready to go before you begin. Once the steaks are done, the sauce comes together in about 10 minutes. From there, you can plate the steaks and spoon that velvety, peppery sauce right over the top.

This recipe serves two but can be easily doubled to serve four.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Steak au Poivre

• Steak. This recipe is traditionally made with filet mignons or beef tenderloins. Strip steak (sirloin) or ribeye – which have higher fat contents – work well too.
• Salt. Make sure to salt the steaks generously at least 30 minutes before cooking, to allow for the salt to penetrate the meat and bring out the best flavor of the steak.
• Whole Black peppercorns. Make sure you use freshly ground pepper for fresh taste.The peppercorns get crushed coarsely by hand (this is important!) – so you need a mortar and pestle, a meat pounder or a rolling pin for that. As per tradition, I prefer black peppercorns: bold, with a nice heat. If you prefer a milder taste, you can go with green peppercorns.
• Butter and Olive oil. Used to sear the steaks and create a nice sear. The butter brings richness while the oil stands up to a higher heat point, ensuring the steaks can sear perfectly. I like olive oil but you can also use a neutral oil such as canola.
• Garlic and Shallot. They get sautéed in the steak juices and build the base of the sauce.
• Cognac. It is used to deglaze the pan and add a sweet complexity to the sauce.
• Beef stock. To bump up the beef flavor in the sauce. Ideally use a low-sodium beef stock. 
• Heavy cream. This is a key ingredient in this recipe. Choose a rich, good quality cream with at least 35% m.f. The richness of heavy cream creates a smooth sauce and balances the punch of the crush peppercorns.
• Dijon mustard. A tablespoon of Dijon mustard adds a nice tang and complexity to the sauce.

How to Make Steak au Poivre (Step-by-Step)

Here is a quick rundown of this recipe. You can find the detailed ingredients and instructions at the bottom of this article.

1. Prep the Steaks: Pat steaks dry, season with salt and freshly crushed pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
2. Sear: In a hot skillet with butter and oil, sear steaks 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a warm plate and rest under foil.
3. Make the Sauce: In the same pan on medium heat, sauté garlic and shallots, deglaze with cognac, add peppercorns and beef stock. Simmer and reduce. Stir in cream and Dijon, cook until thickened. Season to taste.
4. Serve: Slice steaks, top with sauce, and serve with your choice of sides.

Focus on: Cracking the peppercorns

It’s essential to crack your own peppercorns for this recipe—using a mortar and pestle, a rolling pin, or a meat pounder. My preferred method is to fold the peppercorns in a kitchen towel and crush them with a French rolling pin.

Aim for a coarsely cracked texture: all the peppercorns should be broken open (whole ones are unpleasant to bite into), but not ground into a powder. The finer you grind them, the more intense and spicier the result. I prefer keeping them coarsely cracked to get a bold pepper flavor that’s assertive but not overpowering.

Tips for perfect steaks

• Use near room-temperature steaks for even cooking. Take the steaks out of the fridge at least 1 hour before cooking. This allows them to come back to room temperature and avoids a shock of temperature when placed in the hot pan – which can toughen the meat.
• Salt the steaks 30 minutes before cooking. This gives time for the salt to penetrate the meat and enhance its flavor.
• Use both butter and oil to sear the steaks. This is what works best in my opinion. Butter provides richness and oil stands a higher heat point. This mix helps creates a nice brown sear on the steaks, meaning extra flavor!
• Rest the steaks before slicing them. I like to let the steaks rest on a cutting board under foil for about 10-15 minutes before slicing them. This gives time for the juices to distribute evenly in the steaks, make them more tender.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cut of steak is best for steak au poivre?

Filet mignon and beef tenderloins or filet mignons (the front end of tenderloins) are the best steaks to use for Steak au Poivre. These cuts are lean and full of flavor, with filet mignon being extremely tender.  New York strip or ribeye work well too, but be sure to trim any excess fat or gristle before cooking

What alcohol is best for au poivre sauce?

Cognac is traditionally used for the steak au poivre sauce. This French eau-de-vie brings sweet, warm notes to the sauce. If you don’t have Cognac on hand, Brandy works well too.

Can I make the sauce without alcohol?

The alcohol completely burns off when you cook the sauce. But if you really wish to make the sauce without it, yes you can. You can use more beef broth to deglaze the pan and build the sauce: use 1 cup of beef broth, instead of ¾ cup beef broth + ¼ cup cognac.

Can I make this recipe ahead?

The sauce can be made ahead and gently reheated, but the steaks should be cooked fresh.

Serving Suggestions

This is a great recipe for a special dinner for two or a gourmet lunch. Steak au Poivre is traditionally served with fries, and it also pairs well with green beans almondine, buttered peas, mashed potatoes and crusty French bread on the side to mop up the juices.

I hope you’ll love this steak au poivre recipe as much as I do! If you have any questions, please leave a comment. 

More classic French recipes you may like: 

• Classic Beef Bourguignon
• Classic French Coq Au Vin Rouge
• French Roast Chicken (Poulet Rôti)
• French Beef Daube (Daube Provençale)
• French Tarragon Chicken 
• Simple Chicken Marengo with Mushrooms 

Classic Steak au Poivre

Print Recipe

Serves: 2 Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 15 Minutes 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 4.8/5

( 8 voted )

Ingredients

2 filet mignons/tenderloin or strip steaks (about 6-8 oz each, 1.5 inches thick)
½ tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the sauce:
1oz (30g) whole black peppercorns, roughly crushed
3 tbsp (45ml) extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 garlic clove, peeled and finely minced
1 shallot, peeled and finely minced
¼ cup (60ml) cognac or brandy
¾ cup (180ml) beef stock (ideally, low sodium)
½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
1 tsp Dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Prepare the steaks. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Press the pepper onto the steaks so they stick and let sit on the counter for 1 hour.
2. Sear the steaks. Heat up the butter and oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the steaks. Sear for 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare (adjust time based on thickness). Transfer steaks to a warm plate and loosely cover with foil. Resting the steaks before slicing ensures the juice are evenly distributed.
3. Make the sauce. Lower heat to medium. In the same pan, sauté the minced garlic and shallot until golden for about 1 minute. Carefully deglaze with cognac, scraping up browned bits. Add the crush peppercorns and beef stock, bring to a simmer and reduce by half. This should take about 4-5 minutes. Add heavy cream and Dijon, stirring constantly until thickened for about 3 minutes. Don’t overcook the sauce—cream can break if boiled too hard or too long. Season with salt to taste.
4. For serving, slice the steaks into strips, place on plates and spoon the warm peppercorn sauce over each one. Serve immediately with French fries, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad.

Notes...

Once completly cooled, the sauce can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in an saucepan on the stove top over medium-low heat.

The post Classic Steak au Poivre Recipe appeared first on Pardon Your French.

This delightful dish is on the table in just 20 minutes, making the most of asparagus season.

What is a Grenobloise sauce?

A Grenobloise sauce, as its name suggests, is a specialty hailing from the French town of Grenoble. This classic French sauce is made of brown butter, lemon, capers, fresh parsley and croutons.

It is a buttery and tangy sauce that is often served with white fish (sole, skate fish, cod or salmon), seafood (scallops, shrimps) and to spruce up seasonal white asparagus – one of my favorite ways to enjoy it!

Making brown butter (beurre-noisette)

Known in French as “beurre-noisette”, brown butter is one of the key components of a Grenobloise sauce. So, let’s take a moment to discuss it… 

Brown butter is melted butter, with an improved flavor brought on by gently cooking it until it reaches a golden-brown color. Used regularly in both French cooking (sauces, etc.) and baking (financiers, madeleines, etc.), brown butter gives delectable nutty flavors to any recipe. It’s important you take the time to make brown butter properly for this recipe. Do not skip this step, you won’t regret it. 

For the butter, try and find a European-style one with a higher fat content than typical US/Canadian butters. 

How to make brown-butter (beurre-noisette)

1. In a small saucepan, melt your butter over medium-low heat, whisking frequently. Once all melted, the butter will start to simmer and foam. This takes 3-4 minutes. 
2. Eventually the butter will stop foaming. Keep a close eye on it and watch for golden specks to form at the bottom of the pan. Smell the butter for nutty aromas. This should take about 4-5 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat and pour the butter into a cold bowl to stop the cooking process. For this Grenobloise sauce, instead of pouring the butter into a bowl, cold lemon juice is added to the pan, which stops the cooking process as well.

Be careful, as it’s easy to go from brown-butter to burnt-butter. If you think you’ve over-cooked or burned the butter, do not overthink it. Dump it and start again. Burnt butter is terrible for your health and tastes just as bad.

White asparagus at my local farmers’ market in Brittany, France.

How to store (uncooked) asparagus?

I think asparagus always taste better when you cook them the day you buy them. Asparagus are indeed a flowering plant, which are quite delicate and more impacted by passing time than your regular vegetable.

If you are not planning on cooking your asparagus the day you buy them, you can always store them just like cut flowers. Cut off one inch from the bottoms and place the stems in a large glass or vase, with water at the bottom. For optimum storage, cover the tops with a small plastic bag and place in the fridge.

For more details on how to store asparagus so they stay fresh and crisp, I recommend this article from the blog Foolproof living. It gives instructions for short-term storage (1-2 days) and long-term storage (up to 5 days).

How to peel asparagus?

The first step to enjoying asparagus, either green or white, is to peel them. Especially for white asparagus which are very fibrous. Peeling them is a must!

To do so, use a vegetable peeler and remove the peel starting from the base of the tip to the bottom of the spear. The asparagus head remains untouched.

White asparagus are usually thick and strong enough that you don’t need to worry about breaking them. For thinner green asparagus, you can place the asparagus over your hand to support them while peeling and make sure they won’t break.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

To save time, you can prepare and cook the asparagus hours ahead and simply let the asparagus rest covered in a plate. Before serving, you can prepare the Grenobloise sauce and then place it over top your asparagus. The sauce should not be made in advance.

How to store leftovers?  

After making and enjoying White Asparagus à la Grenobloise– if you have any leftovers – you can store them in the refrigerator.

Let the dish cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Enjoy leftovers cold or reheat your portions in the microwave.

Notes:

• Use Organic Lemons. Because we are using zest from the peels, I recommend to use organic lemons which are pesticide free.
• Curly or flat parsley both work well for a Grenobloise sauce.

I hope you’ll love this White Asparagus à la Grenobloise recipe as much as I do! If you have any questions, please leave a comment. 

More French starter recipes you may like: 

• Green asparagus with Gribiche Sauce 
• Classic French Salmon Rillettes
• Roasted Red Pepper Dip (Poivronade) 
• French Cheese Puffs (Gougeres)
• Leeks with Dijon Shallots Vinaigrettes (Poireaux Vinaigrette) 
• French-Style Potato Salad 

White Asparagus à la Grenobloise

Print Recipe

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 5 Minutes Cooking Time: 15 Minutes 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 2 voted )

Ingredients

About 20 white asparagus
¼ tsp salt
1/3 cup (76g) unsalted butter
1/2 cup cubed day-old bread, such as a baguette, or any French or Italian crusty loaf
¼ tsp salt
1 lemon, zested and juiced
5 tbsp (about 37.5g) mini capers
6-7 sprigs curly parsley, stemmed and chopped.
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper 

Instructions

Step 1 – Peel the asparagus using a vegetable peeler (see above instructions) and snap the woody ends off the base (about 2 inches).

Step 2 - Add the asparagus to a pan of boiling water with salt. Simmer for 10-12 minutes.

Step 3 – In the meantime, prepare the Grenobloise sauce. Drain the capers and set aside on a paper towel.

Step 4 – Cut the bread into small cubes. Heat up a large frying pan over medium-heat up with 1 ½ tbsp (20g) butter, the bread and salt. When the butter starts sizzling, continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the bread cubs are golden, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the pan. The croutons will crisp up as they cool.

Step 5 – Add the rest of the butter to the pan, on medium-heat. When it turns “noisette” (see instructions above in the article), turn off the heat and add the lemon juice, zest, capers and parsley. Stir.

Step 6 – Drain the asparagus and place them onto a serving dish. Pour the butter and lemon sauce over top and sprinkle with the croutons. Season with black pepper and serve immediately.

The post White Asparagus à la Grenobloise appeared first on Pardon Your French.

The marriage of the warm, tangy, sweet Blueberry Balsamic Sauce (made with White Balsamic Vinegar) with the smooth, cold vanilla ice cream is a match made in heaven. The tender, soft crêpes bring another level of comfort, and tie it all together. This is quite decadent looking, yet fruity, bright and refreshing dessert.

For the Crêpes, refer to my fool-proof French crêpe recipe. This is the recipe I swear by for making homemade crêpes. For the ice-cream, rely on any of your favorite store-bought ice creams. For the Blueberry Balsamic Sauce, here’s the step-by-step for you…

How to make this Blueberry Balsamic Sauce

The recipe begins with fresh blueberries – although frozen blueberries can work too (see cooking notes below). The blueberries are placed in a pan on low-medium heat, with sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract.

For extra tang, I added Oliv White Balsamic vinegar. This Balsamic is so rich and smooth, with a gorgeous white grape color – which didn’t offset the color of the sauce at all – something I really appreciate. Using White Balsamic to build this sauce provides the perfect amount of sweet and zing to the mix, while creating a luscious, rich texture. It’s a great secret ingredient so you can skip out on cornstarch or having to use a heavy amount of sugar.

Then, all the ingredients are brought to a low simmer, until the blueberries break apart. You can use the back of a spoon or fork to press on the blueberries. Stir occasionally until the sauce slightly thickens – and it’s as simple as that!

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! This Blueberry Balsamic Sauce is both sweet and tangy, with a luscious texture and hides chunks of blueberry for extra bite. The use of White Balsamic adds an “adult” feel to this sauce, that is still very approachable – don’t worry, your kids will love it too! This is a quick and easy recipe to showcase seasonal blueberries, and I bet you’ll want to use this sauce in so many different ways. It really is that good!

My Cooking notes:

• Fresh, seasonal blueberries are best. But when not in season, you can substitute with frozen blueberries. Thaw the blueberries overnight (in a strainer), and weigh the blueberries once thawed and well-drained, so you have 250g (about 1 + 3/4 cup). 
• For serving, you can pick any ice cream of your choice. Vanilla works get here – the smoothness of vanilla ice cream is great for balancing the tang and sweetness of the sauce. Chocolate ice cream would be a great choice as well.

Crêpes with ice cream are my favorite, especially when topped with this Blueberry Balsamic Sauce – which is also perfect  for topping:

• Breton Pound Cake
• Pancakes
• Waffles
• Cottage Cheese
• Greek yogurt
• Oatmeal
• Rice pudding
• French toast
• Cheesecake

And so much more! Share your ideas in the comment section below.

I hope you’ll this Balsamic Blueberry Sauce – it’s sweet, luscious and colorful. It is a simple sauce that comes together in minutes. You can prepare it ahead of time (up to 3 days ahead) and keep it in your fridge. Right before serving, re-heat it on low heat in a sauce pan until warm, and pour it on top of the ice cream.

You may also like:

• Spiced Berry Jalousie Tart
• Blueberry Pie from Alsace
• Blueberry Financiers
• Giant Strawberry Almond Financiers
• Classic-French Cherry Clafoutis

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @pardonyourfrench on Instagram and hashtag it #pardonyourfrench

Crêpes with Blueberry Balsamic Sauce & Vanilla Ice Cream

Print Recipe

Serves: 6-8 Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 40 Minutes 40 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 4.5/5

( 6 voted )

Ingredients

For the homemade Crêpes:

Use this recipe.

For the Blueberry Balsamic Sauce: 

250g fresh blueberries (about 1 + 3/4 cup) (or frozen, thawed – see cooking notes above)
¼ cup (50g) sugar
2 tbsp (30ml) White Balsamic Vinegar (ie. Oliv White Balsamic)
¼ of a lemon, juiced
½ tsp vanilla extract

Vanilla  Ice Cream, for serving 

Instructions

Prepare the crêpes first, see recipe here.

For the Blueberry Balsamic Sauce:

Step 1 – Wash and drain the blueberries. Place them in a large non-stick pan (or large sauce pan) over low heat. Add the sugar, White Balsamic, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Turn the heat to medium-low. Using a wooden spoon, gently stir so the blueberries are evenly coated. They will start to render some juice. Bring to a gentle simmer (this takes about 8-10 minutes), stirring occasionally.

Step 2 – Using the back of the wooden spoon, the back of a fork or a potato masher, gently press the blueberries so they break apart. Continue to simmer on low, stirring occasionally (for about 5 minutes), until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a metal spoon. The sauce should be pourable, with chunks of blueberries still visible. Turn off the heat and set aside.

Step 3 -  For serving, place one or two crêpes on each plate, top with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream and drizzle about 2-3 tablespoons (40-60g) of the Balsamic Blueberry sauce on top. Enjoy immediately.

Did you make this recipe?

I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a comment below, rate the recipe and/or share a photo on Instagram: tag @pardonyourfrench  and hashtag it #pardonyourfrench.  Bon Appetit! 

I have partnered up with OLiV to bring you this Balsamic Blueberry Sauce recipe, but all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Pardon your French. 

The post Crêpes with Blueberry Balsamic Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream appeared first on Pardon Your French.

Only 4 ingredients, 10 minutes, and incredible flavors… this French Pistou sauce is a must to have in your French repertoire. Traditionally, Pistou sauce is used to garnish the typical Provencal vegetable soup (“Soupe au Pistou” – a recipe you can find my cookbook), but it makes a terrific sauce in pasta too.  

How to make this French Pistou Sauce Pasta recipe

I should start by saying that a traditional French Pistou Sauce should be made in a large Mortar. French purists will tell you that there is only one way to make Pistou – by hand. The ingredients are pureed in the mortar with a pestle until creamy.

However, for the sake of simplicity, using a blender has become more and more common. You can make this recipe both ways (mortar and pestle or blender), the ingredients remain the same.

Although not purely traditional, I like to add Parmesan to my Pistou sauce to add some creaminess. You can choose to include it as well, or skip it.

The recipe begins with fresh basil – ideally freshly picked, or as fresh as you can get. Rinse it thoroughly and separate the leaves from the stems (discard the stems). Tear the leaves by hand into small pieces. I prefer to not use a knife – tearing by hand extracts more flavor from the leaves.

Using a large mortar and pestle or a food processor, pound/pulse the garlic to a paste with the salt. Add the basil leaves and pound/pulse them with the garlic until the mixture is a rough paste. Drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil, and stir/pulse until combined. Stir in the grated Parmesan (optional). Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Once the sauce is ready, cook the pasta of your choice. (as per instructions on the box). I like tagliatelle pasta, as it coats nicely with the Pistou sauce – but any pasta shape works here. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Pistou per pasta serving, right before serving.

My cooking tips: 

• Choose freshly picked basil – or the freshest you can get. 
• Tear the basil with your hands to extract more flavors from the leaves. 
• I like to add Parmesan to my Pistou sauce to add some creaminess. You can choose to include it as well, or skip it. With Parmesan, the sauce will be creamier and smoother in taste; without Parmesan it will be more floral and basil-forward. 

I hope you love this French Pistou Sauce Pasta recipe as much as I do!  Pistou is so fragrant and colorful, and so versatile to use. Like the Italian pesto, Pistou can also be served as an accompaniment to grilled meats, poultry and fish.

You may also like:

• Summer Vegetable Tian Galette
• Black Olive Tapenade 
• French-Style Potato Salad
• French-style Couscous Salad

French Pistou Sauce Pasta

Print Recipe

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 4.8/5

( 9 voted )

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic, peeled
Pinch of salt, plus more to taste
2 cups (40 g/1 bunch) packed fresh basil leaves, torn/chopped (+ a few extra leaves for garnish)
¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup (50 g) Parmesan, grated (+ extra for garnish)
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
8-12oz pasta

Instructions

Step 1 - Using a large mortar and pestle or a food processor, pound/pulse the garlic to a paste with the salt. Add the basil leaves and pound/pulse them with the garlic until the mixture is a rough paste. Drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil, and stir/pulse until combined. Stir in the grated Parmesan (if using). Season to taste with salt and black pepper. 

Step 2 – Cook pasta of your choice (according to box’s instructions) and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Pistou per pasta serving. Garnish with a few fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan, and enjoy immediately.

Keep the Pistou sauce in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

The post French Pistou Sauce Pasta appeared first on Pardon Your French.

Risotto, just like pasta or pizza, is a French home-cook’s favorite and you’ll find it served in many restaurants across France, with cooks often putting their own French twist on it.

I love a simple rice risotto. But I might love a buckwheat risotto even more – especially in the Fall. The use of buckwheat groats (so dear to Brittany, my home) instead of rice, brings amazing nutty notes and an even greater satisfying factor to this dish, in my opinion. And one of my favorite ways to dress up a risotto is with a “Forestière sauce”, a typically French sauce made of mixed mushrooms and crème fraiche, all perfectly suited for Fall.

Cooking notes: 

• Note that a classic French “Forestière sauce” usually include more crème fraiche. I chose to cut down on the amount of crème fraiche to have a lighter sauce, and let the creaminess of the risotto shine more. 
• The combination of shitake, oyster, cremini mushrooms work great for a Forestière sauce; but you can opt for different mushrooms if you wish or stick to only one kind (ie. only cremini). 
• I used sage to compliment the dish, but other herbs such as parsley (flat-leaf or curly) or chives will work very well too. 
• For the making of the risotto, always prefer a dry white wine. 

Buckwheat Risotto with Mushroom Forestière Sauce

Print Recipe

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cooking Time: 40 Minutes 40 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 3.7/5

( 11 voted )

Ingredients

4 tbsp (60g) butter
1 small onion, peeled and chopped
1 garlic clove, peeled and diced
5 sages leaves, chopped
5 cups (375g) mixed mushrooms (shitake, oyster, cremini), washed and sliced
2 tbsp (30g) crème fraiche
1 1/3 cup (250g) buckwheat groats (kasha)
1 cup (250ml) white wine
2 cups (500ml) chicken stock
½ tsp ground black pepper
Parseman, for topping

Instructions

Make the sauce. Melt 2 tablespoons (30g) of butter in a large frying pan over medium heat and cook the onions, garlic, mushrooms and sage for about 10 minutes (until the mushrooms are fully cooked through). Stir in the crème fraiche and set aside. Cover with foil to keep warm.

Make the risotto. Melt 2 tablespoons (30g) of butter in another large frying pan over medium heat. Add the buckwheat groats and toast them for 2 minutes. Pour in the white wine, bring to a simmer and let evaporate for about 5 minutes (until half of the liquid is left). Slowly pour in the stock while stirring, in small additions, until the buckwheat is fully cooked (about 25 minutes).

For serving, scoop the risotto onto each plate and top with the mushroom sauce. Top with some shaved Parmesan and one or two leaves of sage for decoration. Season to taste.

If you try this Buckwheat Risotto with Mushroom Forestière Sauce recipe, let me know! Leave a comment or share a photo using #pardonyourfrench on Instagram.

Bon Appétit!

If you like Buckwheat, you might like: 

• Brittany-Style Buckwheat Pancakes and my Favorite Apple Compote Recipe

• Buckwheat Crepes from Brittany (Gluten-free)

• Kig Ha Farz, Breton stew with Buckwheat dumplings

• Buckwheat Sables with Chocolate Chips

The post Buckwheat Risotto with Mushroom Forestière Sauce appeared first on Pardon Your French.

A Southern-French classic, this egg-based frothy sauce is effortlessly whipped together, yet it makes for a unique and elegant dessert poured over fresh fruits. And with the arrival of Berry season, I wanted to revisit it using orange juice instead of alcohol (for a more affordable and approachable version).

A truly simple, early-summer pleasure.

Being a French Classic (and traditionally an alcohol-infused dessert),  I can see how a “Sabayon” can sound intimidating. But truth is, it will take you no longer than 10 minutes to make and there is really nothing difficult about it – you just need to whip (and when you think you’re done whipping, you whip some more).

Traditionally, a Sabayon is made with champagne (in France) or marsala wine (in Italy, where it’s called zabaglione). But for this alcohol-free version, I used orange juice. And even though orange juice doesn’t have the same fiziness as champagne, it still provides a tangy lightness that perfectly compliments the rich, underlying flavour here. 

And I was surprised to find the orange taste was actually very subtle, still allowing that soft creamy effect to be center stage.

There are two ways of serving a Sabayon. For the first, you simply spoon the Sabayon sauce on top of your fresh fruits and voila! For the second, you add a sprinkle of icing sugar on top and place the Sabayon with fruits under the broiler (or use a blow torch) to get a slight caramelization all around (in this version, some people like to call it a “fruit gratin”).

And although this makes for such a light and elegant dessert on its own, I can picture it being even better served on top of a slice of pound cake.

Well, I guess I’ll just have to make it again now….

My cooking notes:

• Be creative with the fruits! Fresh, seasonal berries (such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries) are perfect in a Sabayon. But there are so many fruits that are just as delicious in this dish, especially fleshy fruits: peaches and apricots (it creates a peaches and cream feel to it), banana and kiwi, mango and papaya, etc.
• The quality of the eggs goes a long way here; make sure they are fresh!
• When going under the broiler, the Sabayon cream will puff up slightly (and deflate when cooling down) so make sure to choose oven-proof vessels with higher edges (such as bowls, ramekins or glasses) and only fill them to 2/3s (or the Sabayon will overflow in the oven). Here, I have opted for 2 shallow plates (which made for 2 generous dessert portions), but this recipe works well with 4 individual ramekins/bowls too.
• Sabayon is a warm dessert, so you should make it just before serving

Berries with Orange Sabayon

Print Recipe

Serves: 4 ramekins Prep Time: 10 minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

1 orange (ideally organic)
1/3 cup + 1 tbsp sugar (85g)
2 eggs (whole)
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup whipping cream (12cl) 
1/4 cup icing sugar (+ a little more for dusting)(25g)
500g berries

Instructions

For the Sabayon:

Wash, zest and juice the orange – set the juice and zest aside.

(With an electric beater or by hand) Whip the whipping cream and the icing sugar, until a firm peak forms.

In a separate bowl (heat-proof bowl), whisk together the eggs, egg yolk, orange juice and zest. Slowly add in the sugar, whisking continuously until the mixture starts to foam.

Place the bowl into a stove-top bain-marie (double boiler), and keep whisking until the mixture doubles (or even triples) in volume and reaches a creamy consistency (this takes 2 to 3 minutes). Make sure the consistency is creamy enough (it should coat the whisk) as this means the eggs are cooked properly.

Remove from the heat and keep whisking to bring the sabayon down to room temperature (this takes 3 to 4 additional minutes). Once at room temperature, gently fold in the whipped cream with a rubber spatula.

For serving:

Wash and dry the berries. Chop them if needed (ie. strawberries). Scatter them evenly on the bottom of your serving vessels and gently pour the sabayon on top.

Sprinkle with a light dusting of icing sugar, and place under the broiler for 30 seconds to 2 minutes (depending on the power of your broiler) until you get a light golden hue. If you have a torch blower, this will work great too.

Serve immediately.

If you try this Orange Sabayon recipe let me know! Leave a comment or share a photo using #pardonyourfrench on Instagram.

Bon Appétit!

The post Berries with Orange Sabayon appeared first on Pardon Your French.

And while still today an utter classic, it is one of those concoctions that’s still hard to put a label on … Is it a sauce? A mayonnaise? A dip? A condiment? A relish? I like to think it can be any of them! (I mean, is it important to put a tight label on everything?)

It’s creamy like a mayonnaise, tart like a relish, delicately salty like a sauce and refreshing like a seasonal condiment.

Sauce Gribiche is so versatile, which you can see from all the different ways it can be enjoyed. Classically in French Cuisine, Sauce Gribiche is to be served over a slice of calf’s head (a common French delicatessen find), boiled chicken (hot or cold), a meaty fish (hot or cold, usually mackerel or cod), tripe and meat terrines.

Although, in modern days you’ll probably see it more often served with “crudites” (shredded carrots, shredded celeriac, sliced tomatoes) and as a dressing in a lettuce salad.

My favourite way is to serve it with cooled asparagus (cooked, but they need to have a crunch still).  

It is also delicious in a potato salad or as filling to make deviled eggs. See, so versatile!

Cooking notes:

• The first step for this sauce is the blending of a hard boiled egg yolk with mustard, to the consistency of a paste. This can be done in a mortar and pestle (like I did here) or in a simple bowl using the back of a spoon.
• A classic Sauce Gribiche is made with a bunch of mix chopped herbs, including flat-leaf parsley, chervil and/or tarragon. My own twist is that I like to add dill (instead of tarragon), which I find pairs perfectly with cornichons, eggs and capers.
• The classic French recipe calls for “cornichon” (small French-style sour gerkhins). Here in North America, you can find Maille Cornichons, that taste just like the ones in France. As a substitute, you can use dill pickles.
• If you do not have canola oil or grapeseed oil, you can substitute with extra-virgin olive oil. The taste will be slightly fruitier, but the difference will be really subtle in the end.

If you try this Sauce Gribiche let me know!  Leave a comment or share a photo using #pardonyourfrench on Instagram.

Bon Appétit!

Sauce Gribiche on Crisp Asparagus

Print Recipe

Serves: 4 people Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 3.8/5

( 4 voted )

Ingredients

1 large egg, hard-boiled.
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/3 cup canola oil (or grapeseed).
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 cornichon
8 to 10 small capers; drained, rinsed, and squeezed dry
about 1/4 cup (gently-packed) mixed chopped herbs; flat-leaf parsley, chervil, and/or tarragon
salt and freshly-ground black pepper
1 bunch of fresh asparagus

Instructions

For the sauce:

Peel the egg and separate the egg white from the yolk. Chop the egg whites in tiny cubes. Put the egg yolk, mustard and a pinch of salt in a mortar and pestle (or a bowl) and mash together until it becomes a smooth paste.

Transfer to a larger bowl, add the vinegar and then the oil, drop by drop, continuously whisking with a fork as if making mayonnaise. Keep the sauce creamy by adding small amounts of vinegar or warm water, as necessary.

Finish off the sauce by adding the chopped egg whites, cornichons, capers and chopped herbs. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

For the asparagus:

Remove the woody ends, by gently bending the end of each asparagus spear until it snaps naturally.

Add the asparagus to a pan of boiling water. Cook for 2 minutes until bright green, and transfer immediately to an ice-bath. Let sit in the ice-bath for 4-5 minutes, drain and pat the asparagus gently with a paper towel to dry off.

For serving:

Arrange the asparagus on a plate and drop the sauce on top by dollops.

The post Sauce Gribiche on Crisp Asparagus appeared first on Pardon Your French.

Bastille Day is just around the corner (it’s July 14)! And what better time than the French National Day to cook the iconic Pepper Steak with Brandy Sauce, with a side of French fries? Or as the French would say, the “Steak Frites”.

“Un Steak Frites, s’il vous plait!”.

Yes, if you’re planning a visit to France, you better remember this phrase. Because wherever you’ll go, it would be hard not to find a bistro that serves the Steak Frites. This truly is a classic and timeless dish, worshiped by the entire French nation.

If you’re not planning a visit to France anytime soon (but hopefully you will!), here’s your chance to get a taste of this French bistro staple.  

But just before we dive into the recipe, let’s read this little recipe introduction, pulled from “Mastering the Art of French Cuisine”, which to me, perfectly summarizes the keys to this dish… 

“Steak au poivre can be very good when it is not buried in pepper and doused with flaming brandy that the flavor of the meat is utterly disguised.”

(Very Julia Child, isn’t it?)

And indeed, the pepper steak with brandy sauce is a delectable dish, that can quickly become overwhelming if not served properly. You know the deal now: respect the proportions and please, do not drown your steak in sauce. Instead, I suggest you serve the sauce on the side (and that way, dipping your fries in the sauce is even easier!)

I hope you enjoy this dish as much as I do. Bon appétit, and Happy Bastille Day!

Pepper Steak with Brandy Sauce

Print Recipe

Serves: 4 people Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 3.7/5

( 3 voted )

Ingredients

4 tbsp of a mixture of black and white peppercorns.
4 steaks (I used Striploin)
1 tbsp butter
2 tbsp minced shallots or green onions
½ cup beef stock
¼ cup cognac
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp flour
2 tbsp softened butter
French fries

Instructions

Place the peppercorns in a big mixing bowl and crush them roughly with a pestle or the bottom of a bottle.

Dry the steaks on paper towels. Rub and press half of the crushed peppercorns (2 tbsp) into both sides of the meat with your fingers and the palms of your hands. Cover with waxed paper. Let stand for at least half an hour; 2 or 3 hours are even better, so the flavor of the pepper will penetrate the meat.

Add salt just before cooking!

Grill your steaks on a frying pan, a barbecue or charcoal grill: Either method works, but my husband and I SWEAR by using lump charcoal for an irreplaceable taste. Place the steak on a piping hot grill, and do not touch the steaks for about 1-2 minutes (depending on the heat of your grill). Gently lift to view the char (don’t burn it) Once this side has a beautiful deep brown look, flip and cook to your desired doneness (Medium Rare for me, please!)

Move to a plate, and cover with foil (see note)

In the meantime, prepare the sauce. Melt the butter in a small sauce pan, add the shallots (or green onions) and the rest of the crushed peppercorns and cook slowly for a minute.

Pour in the beef stock and boil down rapidly over high heat while scraping up the coagulated cooking juices. Then add the cognac (or other type of brandy, see note) and boil rapidly for 2 minutes, to evaporate its alcohol.

Pour in the heavy cream, sprinkle in the flour, and boil again, whisking rapidly the sauce for 2 minutes, until it starts to thicken. 

Remove from the heat, and swirl in the butter.

Serve the sauce on the side, and accompany with french fries. 

Notes...

1. The original recipe calls for Cognac but I wouldn’t worry about using a great quality brandy, since it will be boiled off to evaporate the alcohol and blended with a generouns amount of cream and butter. // 2. Letting the steaks rest a few minutes after cooking is essential. It allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and gives you a juicy steak, at the perfect temperature.

The post Pepper Steak with Brandy Sauce appeared first on Pardon Your French.