Bleu-cheese-crusted steaks with red wine sauce

[budman]

Yummy!


Ingredients
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) chilled butter
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large shallot, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

3/4 cup low-salt beef broth
1/2 cup dry red wine

1/2 cup coarsely crumbled Maytag blue cheese (about 2 ounces)
1/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)*
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

4 1-inch-thick filet mignon steaks (each 6 to 8 ounces)

Preparation
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, shallot, and thyme. Sauté until shallot is tender, about 5 minutes. Add broth and wine. Boil until sauce is reduced to 1/2 cup, about 12 minutes. Set sauce aside.

Blend cheese, panko, and parsley in small bowl to coat cheese evenly with panko. (Sauce and cheese mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill.)

(Inside Broiler)
Preheat broiler. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper. Add steaks to skillet and cook to desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to rimmed baking sheet; reserve skillet. Press cheese mixture onto top of steaks, dividing equally. Broil until cheese browns, about 2 minutes. Transfer steaks to plates.

Pour sauce into reserved skillet. Bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Boil 2 minutes. Whisk in remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce around steaks and serve.

*Available at Asian markets and in the Asian section of some supermarkets.

I also grill my steaks, except up to the last minute or so, I generously top them with the cheese mixture, close the hood, and let sit in the indirect position for two or three minutes as the mixture melts in the climbing temperture. Remove from the grill and let stand for five minutes. Spoon sauce around steaks and serve.


Good sides: (Country) Garlic mashers, Baked beans & Corn OTC, butter rolls; (City) tiny Yukon Gold potatoes, diced carrots and baby peas, poppy seed pumpernickel rolls.

Wine: A nice three-year old Petite Sirah or Pinot Noir

[Food Network Fan]

My husband loves bleu cheese. I will have to give it a try.

[BerryBaby]

Panko can be found at Trader Joe's and Cost Plus Markets. On the west coast, most all grocery stores now carry it. It is replacing the traditional breadcrumbs in many recipes. I love using it.