Best Steak Au Poivre

Directions

Coarsely crush all peppercorns in a pestle and mortar. Sprinkle crushed pepper over both sides of steaks, pressing in well with palm of hand. Let stand 30 minutes.

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet and heat until foaming. Add steaks and cook 2 to 3 minutes, then turn and cook other sides 2 to 3 minutes.

(This timing gives medium- rare steaks, so adjust cooking time to suit personal preferences.)

Turn steaks again and top each one with remaining butter and sprinkle with a few drops hot-pepper sauce and Worcestershire sauce.

Pour brandy over steaks and allow to heat through a few seconds. Flame and remove from heat.

When flames subside, remove steaks to a warm serving plate and keep warm. Add whipping cream to skillet and stir well.

Heat through 1 minute, scraping up sediment from bottom of skillet. Season with salt and spoon mixture over steaks. Serve at once.

NOTE:

Serve with fried potatoes and a green salad. Garnish with a fresh Italian parsley sprig, if desired.