Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Sirloin Steak with Basil Cream Sauce



This is one of the best things I've tried lately. I found the recipe in one of Johanna's food magazines - Waitrose, maybe? - and promtply copied it down into my PalmPilot. I've made it twice already, it's incredibly tasty and really easy to make. The sauce would go well with pork tenderloin too, but so far I've tried it with sirloin. (Or entrecote, as we say in Sweden.)

The second time I made it was in Dalarna, and I had somehow forgotten that I needed white wine for it. So, I had to resort to using red wine since that was what we had. Results.. well - stick to white wine. The flavor was pretty much the same, but the sauce was seriously purple. So, unless you mind eating with your eyes closed, or want a colorful dish... use white.

Sirloin Steak with Basil Cream Sauce
serves 2, generously

2 sirloin steaks, seasoned with salt and pepper

2 shallots or a red onion, finely diced
100 ml white wine
2 tomatoes, finely diced (and peeled, if you have the patience)
100 ml creme fraiche (I used a lower fat version, worked out well)
20 g (big bunch) of basil, shredded.

Fry the meat as you normally would, which to me is in a mixture of olive oil and butter. Lift out of the pan, and allow to rest under tinfoil while you make the sauce. In the same pan, fry the shallots or onion gently for 2-3 minutes. Add the wine, and let reduce until about half is left. Add the tomatoes, creme fraiche and basil.

Serve with pasta or new potatoes. The article suggested pairing it with a Pinot Noir - I haven't tried that though.

9 comments:

eat stuff said...

yum it looks fabulous!

Anonymous said...

This I absolutely have to try. So... simple and elegant!

Farmgirl Susan said...

Oh yum, yum, yum! I will definitely try this. I have lots of basil in the garden, and someday those tomatoes will turn red. . . : ) Though I bet it would be good even without the tomatoes. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Anonymous said...

wow! this looks delicious. will be trying this one this evening as it is the first time i will be cooking for my boyfriend. ate something like this in a restaurant and have been looking for a similar recipe ever since. On behalf of all of the beginners, thanks for making it so simple! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow!! This looks absolutely delicious!!!! But, what could I use instead of the wine??? Something non alcoholic....??

Anne said...

Try it with a dry apple cider instead! :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks Anne.....will definitely try it!! ;)

Christina said...

I searched the web over for a basil/wine cream sauce and this one was by far the most appealing. Got to get in the kitchen. I'll get back to you in a few hours to let you know how I liked it!

Anonymous said...

I know this post is old, but if there is anyone considering replacing the wine with something else my advice is DONT! You cannot replicate the flavor. Alcohol evaportates at 172°F (78°C) so any sauce that is simmering will definately cook off the alcohol. It will take about 20 - 30 seconds. If for some unfortunate reason you're allergic to alcohol then I wouldn't recomend cooking this just encase there are small traces, although if it's due to religious beliefs, You're doing your Due Dilligence I'm sure a trace will not send you to hell. Besides it's about what your intentions are not the fact that you've consumed. If you want to enjoy food properly you have to be willing to try anything.