Fillet Steaks with Tarragon Butter
Serves: 2- Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: (Based on a 2-3cm/1″ thick steak)
- Rare: 3-4 minutes on each side
- Medium: 4-5 minutes on each side
- Well done: 6-7 minutes on each side
Ingredients:
- 2 lean beef fillet steaks
For the Tarragon and Shallot Butter:
- 50g/2oz butter, softened
- 1 small shallot, peeled and finely diced
- 1dsp freshly chopped tarragon
- Salt and freshly milled black pepper
- Dash of Port or cream sherry
For the Pea Puree:
- 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 25g/1oz butter
- 75ml good, hot chicken or vegetable stock
- 225g/lb fresh green peas, freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley, optional
Method:
- In a bowl blend together the butter, shallot, tarragon and seasoning. Form the butter into a sausage shape and wrap in cling film or foil and refrigerate.
- To make the pea puree, place the onion, butter, stock and peas in a large pan. Season, bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Drain and reserve two tablespoons of the stock. Puree to a desired consistency with the reserved stock. Add the freshly chopped parsley, if used. Set aside and keep warm.
- Gently heat 50g/2oz of the tarragon and shallot butter in a large pan until foaming. Add the fillet steaks and cook over a medium heat, turning once. Remove from the pan and keep warm. Add a dash of Port or cream sherry to the pan, stir, bring to the boil, reduce the heat and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until the sauce is reduced and syrupy.
- Serve the steaks with the sauce on a bed of the pea puree with a hot new potato and chive salad.
