Tofu Au Poivre Recipes

FILET OF BEEF AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Place the filets on a board and pat them dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the filets with salt and then press the black pepper evenly on both sides. Allow to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter and the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat until the butter almost smokes. Place the steaks in the pan and lower the heat to medium. Saute the steaks for 4 minutes on 1 side and then for 3 minutes on the other side, for medium rare. Remove the steaks to a serving platter and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
• Meanwhile, pour all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the saute pan. Add the shallots and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the beef broth and cook over high heat for 4 to 6 minutes, until reduced by half, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the Cognac and cook for 2 more minutes. Off the heat, swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve the steaks hot with the sauce poured on top.

NICK'S PEPPER SAUCE (SAUCE AU POIVRE)

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over low heat. Cook and stir shallots in hot butter until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add parsley and saute for 5 minutes; season with pepper and salt.
• Carefully pour cognac over shallot mixture; cook and stir until flames have disappeared, 2 to 3 minutes. Add beef stock and bring to a boil; reduce heat, add creme fraiche, and simmer until sauce is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Stir 2 tablespoons butter into sauce until melted.

TOFU AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Slice the tofu into thirds lengthwise (?) to make 'steaks'. layer with paper towels in a colander and a heavy weight on top. Let sit for 30 minutes to drain.
• Grind 1/4c peppercorns & coat both sides of the tofu steaks with approximately 1tsp pepper per side. Reserve any additional pepper for another use.
• Heat oil in heavy skillet on medium high heat. (I used my cast iron) Fry tofu until browned & crispy on both sides. This will take about 10 minutes or so. When done, set aside.
• Add butter to pan. When melted, add shallots & cook just a few minutes until softened. Add cognac or brandy & cook on high a few minutes until reduced to a few tablespoons.
• Add the stock & reduce by half. Add the cream & heat just to boiling.
• Crush 1/2TB mixed peppercorns in a mortar & pestle. Add to sauce. Taste for seasoning & add salt as desired.

LOTTE AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Coat the fish on both sides with the pepper. Sprinkle with salt to taste.
• Heat the oil in a black cast-iron skillet over a medium flame. Add the fish immediately and cook for about 2 minutes until lightly browned. Turn the filets, cover tightly, lower the heat and cook for 3 minutes. Transfer the fish to a warm plate and keep warm.
• Add the shallots to the skillet; stir and cook over a medium heat until wilted. Add wine and bring to a boil, stirring. Reduce by half, add butter and blend well. Spoon the sauce over each fillet. Garnish with a sprig of chervil or dill.

PORTOBELLO 'STEAK' AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Brush the mushrooms all over with olive oil. Sprinkle the pepper evenly over the gill sides (about 1/2 teaspoon per mushroom). Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high, then add the mushrooms gill side up and sear until the underside is browned and the gill side looks wet, 3 to 6 minutes. Flip and cook until golden and the pepper is fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium-low. Flip the mushrooms so they're gill side up, then add the butter and garlic, and season with salt. While stirring the garlic to keep it from scorching, tilt the skillet to spoon up the melting butter and baste the mushrooms until tender, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to a plate, leaving the butter in the skillet.
• Add the shallot and stir until softened, 2 to 4 minutes, adding a little more butter if the pan is dry. Stand back, and carefully add the Cognac. (It might flame.) Stir until the Cognac has nearly evaporated. Add the heavy cream and mustard, season with salt, and stir to combine. Return the mushrooms to the pan gill side down, and cook until the cream is thickened and the color of a latte, 2 to 4 minutes. Eat the mushrooms with a drizzle of the sauce.