Blue-Cheese-Crusted Steaks with Red Wine Sauce

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)

Directions

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.)

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.