Fillet Steak with Peppercorn Sauce : A Mary Berry Recipe : Valentines Day and Special Occasion Meal

With Valentines Day (14th February) getting near perhaps you may be looking for a special meal to celebrate. How about some fillet steak with peppercorn sauce?

You can make a fillet steak, that's already special, even more special with Mary Berry's classic peppercorn sauce. This make-ahead sauce is a lifesaver if you want to cook a special dinner without spending all night in the kitchen.

I share this lovely recipe suggestion from Mary Berry, who is one of the best-known and respected cookery writers and broadcasters in the UK.

This recipe is for four, so amend as necessary.

Ingredients
4 x 150g/5½oz centre cut fillet steaks
50g/1¾oz butter, at room temperature
salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the sauce
100ml/3½fl oz beef stock
½ garlic clove, crushed
2 tbsp brandy
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
150ml/¼ pint double (heavy)cream
½ tsp crushed black peppercorns
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Method
1. Using your hands, flatten the steaks to a thickness of about 1½cm/¾in. Season them well with salt and pepper.
2. Heat a large frying pan or griddle pan over a high heat until very hot. Spread the butter directly onto the steak and fry for 2 minutes on each side. Cover loosely with foil, rest and keep warm.
3. For the sauce, add the stock to a saucepan, bring to the boil and cook until reduced by half. Add the garlic, brandy, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, cream and peppercorns. Stir and bring to the boil over a high heat. Season with salt and cook until it reaches the consistency of pouring cream. Stir in the parsley.
4. Divide the steaks between plates, pour over the sauce and serve with vegetables of your choice.

How about some broccoli and Roasted Celeriac with Brussels Sprouts, see here 

Recipe Tips
The sauce can be made up to a day ahead, covered and kept in the fridge. You can just cook two fillet steaks and halve the sauce recipe for a special dinner for two.

The steaks can be cooked in advance and reheated just before serving. Once cool, cover and keep in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Reheat on a baking tray with a knob of butter on top in an oven at 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7 for 6 minutes.
From original recipe here

Looking for a nice vegetarian or vegan meal

Vegetarian - Mushroom Bourguignon with Celeriac Mash, see here

Vegan - Moussaka, see here

don't forget the flowers

Dear reader, you will find a variety of articles, and recipe ideas, are within this blog, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan