Steaks with Béarnaise Sauce
A familiar steak dish served with the classic creamy Bearnaise sauce. Great for a special supper dish or weekend treat.
prep time
10 mins
cook time
15 minutes
serves
2 people
Based on a 2cm thick steak
To Cook Rare: 2½ minutes on each side
To Cook Medium: 4 minutes on each side
To Cook Well Done: 6 minutes on each side
Ingredients
- 2 lean sirloin, rump or rib-eye steaks
- 1-2 tablespoons rapeseed or sunflower oil
For the Béarnaise Sauce:
- 4 black peppercorns, crushed
- 1 shallot, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped tarragon
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 3 egg yolks
- 175g unsalted butter, clarified
- Juice of ¼ lemon
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- Freshly chopped tarragon, to garnish
Method
- Prepare the Béarnaise sauce. To clarify the butter - Melt the butter slowly over a low heat without stirring. Remove from the heat and skim the foam off the surface. Spoon the butter into a small bowl, leaving the milky sediment behind.
- In a small pan bring the peppercorns, shallots, tarragon and vinegar to the boil and reduce to about 1 tablespoon.
- Remove the pan from the heat, cool slightly then strain into a heatproof bowl, whisk in the egg yolks and discard the shallot mixture
- Set the bowl over a pan of simmering hot water. The bowl should sit just above the water. Whisk the mixture over a low heat for about 5-6 minutes, or until thick and creamy, leaving a ribbon-like trail.
- Slowly add the clarified butter, a little at a time until it becomes thick and glossy. Stir in the lemon juice, seasoning, cayenne and tarragon. Keep warm.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large non-stick pan. Season the steaks and cook
- Serve the steaks with the sauce, fat chips and a side salad.
