Description
Succulent Julia Child’s steak diane emerges as a classic French-American culinary delight. Rich pan sauce and tender beef combine for an elegant dinner that transports diners to mid-century continental restaurants where you can savor each luxurious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 filet mignon steaks (6 oz)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, chopped
- ¼ cup brandy (2 oz)
- ¼ cup beef broth (2 oz)
- ¼ cup heavy cream (2 oz)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Fresh chives, chopped
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Tenderize steaks to uniform thickness using a meat mallet, then season comprehensively with salt and pepper.
- Searing Process: Heat oil and butter in a sauté pan until butter melts, then carefully sear steaks for 3-4 minutes per side, creating a golden-brown exterior while maintaining inner tenderness. Remove steaks and set aside.
- Aromatic Foundation: In the same pan, sauté minced garlic and shallots for 60 seconds, extracting rich flavor remnants from the cooking surface.
- Sauce Development: Remove pan from heat, add brandy, then return and simmer while scraping pan. Introduce beef broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, whisking to create a cohesive, velvety sauce.
- Plating and Finishing: Position seared steaks on serving plates, generously drench with the prepared sauce, and elegantly garnish with freshly chopped parsley and chives, ensuring a visually stunning and flavorful presentation.
Notes
- Master the Sear: Create a golden-brown crust by using high heat and avoiding overcrowding the pan, which prevents proper caramelization and ensures restaurant-quality steak.
- Sauce Symphony: Deglaze the pan carefully with brandy to capture deep, concentrated flavor compounds from browned meat bits, enhancing the sauce’s complexity.
- Temperature Precision: Let steaks rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking to guarantee even cooking and maximum tenderness.
- Quick Finish Strategy: Keep sauce preparation swift after steak searing to maintain optimal meat temperature and prevent overcooking or drying out the protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg