Steak and Bèarnaise Sauce

What could be better than a perfectly cooked steak with creamy Béarnaise sauce? Wonderful served with freshly cooked, hot, golden chips.

  • Preparation time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking time: 15 minutes
  • Total time: 30 minutes 30 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients

  • 2 Aberdeen Angus sirloin or rump steaks
  • Olive oil, for brushing
  • Watercress, to garnish
  • For the sauce
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 pack fresh tarragon, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 2 medium egg yolks
  • 100g unsalted butter
  • Squeeze of lemon juice
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Method

  1. Begin by making the Béarnaise sauce. In a saucepan, place the shallot, half the tarragon, the vinegar and 3 tablespoons of cold water. Simmer gently until the liquid has reduced by half.
  2. Place the egg yolks in a liquidiser and add the shallot mixture. Blend until smooth. In a saucepan, melt the butter until it is bubbling. With the liquidiser on, carefully pour in the hot butter a little at a time to form a thick, yellow sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and stir in the remaining tarragon. Pour into a warm sauce jug.
  3. Preheat a griddle pan or frying pan until it gets very hot. Brush both sides of each steak with a little olive oil, and season. Fry the steaks until cooked to your liking. Serve immediately with spoonfuls of the Béarnaise sauce, garnished with watercress.