Flat-Iron Steak au Poivre

• servings: 2 servings
• active time: 30 minutes
• total time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

2 flat-iron steaks (6 to 8 ounces each)

Coarse salt

2 tablespoons black peppercorns

1 tablespoon canola oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large shallot, halved and thinly sliced (½ cup)

⅓ cup cognac

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

⅔ cup low-sodium or homemade chicken stock

2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

Season steaks with salt and let sit at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, place peppercorns in a plastic bag and coarsely crack with a meat mallet or rolling pin. Transfer peppercorns to a plate. Lightly pat steaks dry and coat both sides of each steak with peppercorns, pressing to adhere.

Heat a medium skillet, preferably cast-iron, over medium-high. Swirl in oil and cook steaks, turning once, until internal temperature reads 135 degrees (for medium-rare), 6 to 8 minutes total. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.

Discard fat from pan. Add butter and shallots and cook, stirring often, until shallots soften and begin to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Carefully add cognac and cook, scraping up any bits from the bottom of pan, until almost evaporated, 3 minutes. Add Worcestershire and stock and simmer until reduced by half (to about 1/3 cup), 4 to 5 minutes. Add cream and cook until heated through and thickened slightly, about 1 minute more. Slice steaks against the grain, divide between two plates, and top with sauce.