Sichuan Peppercorn Filet Mignon with Crisp Mushrooms and Kale Slaw
Photo: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Christine Wolheim
Rachel Yang, chef-owner of Joule in Seattle, reinvents the classic peppercorn steak with a not-too-hot Sichuan peppercorn rub that produces a pleasant tingly sensation in the mouth. With the zesty kale slaw, it adds zaps of excitement to a romantic dinner. At the restaurant, Yang uses a lesser-known, flavorful cut called teres major; we've substituted widely available filet mignon.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Make salad: In a medium bowl, combine kale and fennel. Whisk remaining ingredients together in a small bowl. Toss with salad and let stand 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring a couple of times, before serving.
Step 2
2
Cook steak: In a spice grinder or clean coffee grinder, pulse peppercorns until coarsely ground. Season steaks with 1/2 tsp. salt and rub all over with Sichuan pepper. Let come to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°.
Step 3
3
Heat a medium ovenproof frying pan (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Swirl in 2 tbsp. oil. Add steak and sear, turning once, until browned on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Slide pan into oven and cook until medium-rare (135° on an instant-read thermometer), 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer steaks to warm plates.
Step 4
4
Roast mushrooms: Split maitake into 2 or 3 small clusters (if using shiitake, remove tough stems and thinly slice mushrooms). Set frying pan with steak drippings over high heat. Add mushrooms and season with remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and black pepper to taste. Cook, gently turning once or twice, until wilted and browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butter and immediately transfer pan to oven. Cook mushrooms 3 minutes (it's okay if they get quite crisp), then return to stovetop over medium heat. Pour in vinegar, then spoon vinegar-butter mixture over mushrooms a few times.
Step 5
5
Serve steak on warmed plates, with mushrooms and salad.
Step 6
6
*Find Sichuan peppercorns in your grocery store's spice aisle.
Step 7
7
Wine pairing: A powerful, spicy red like Sol Rouge 2012 Petite Sirah (Lake County; $32). The peppery black fruit hugs the beef. --Sara Schneider
Ingredients
KALE SALAD
2 1/2 cups lightly packed bite-size pieces curly green kale, torn from the stem
1/4 medium fennel bulb, cored and very thinly sliced lengthwise (1/2 cup)
About 1/2 oz. peeled fresh ginger, cut into thin slivers (2 tbsp.)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
2 teaspoons Chinese hot mustard (or Dijon mustard with a large pinch of cayenne)
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
Kosher salt and pepper
FILET AND MUSHROOMS
2 tablespoons whole Sichuan peppercorns*
2 7-oz. tournedos (filet mignon steaks; each 1 1/2 to 2 in. thick)
About 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
2 tablespoons canola oil
4 ounces fresh maitake (hen-of-the-woods) or shiitake mushrooms
Black pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
Directions
Step 1
1
Make salad: In a medium bowl, combine kale and fennel. Whisk remaining ingredients together in a small bowl. Toss with salad and let stand 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring a couple of times, before serving.
Step 2
2
Cook steak: In a spice grinder or clean coffee grinder, pulse peppercorns until coarsely ground. Season steaks with 1/2 tsp. salt and rub all over with Sichuan pepper. Let come to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°.
Step 3
3
Heat a medium ovenproof frying pan (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Swirl in 2 tbsp. oil. Add steak and sear, turning once, until browned on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Slide pan into oven and cook until medium-rare (135° on an instant-read thermometer), 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer steaks to warm plates.
Step 4
4
Roast mushrooms: Split maitake into 2 or 3 small clusters (if using shiitake, remove tough stems and thinly slice mushrooms). Set frying pan with steak drippings over high heat. Add mushrooms and season with remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and black pepper to taste. Cook, gently turning once or twice, until wilted and browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butter and immediately transfer pan to oven. Cook mushrooms 3 minutes (it's okay if they get quite crisp), then return to stovetop over medium heat. Pour in vinegar, then spoon vinegar-butter mixture over mushrooms a few times.
Step 5
5
Serve steak on warmed plates, with mushrooms and salad.
Step 6
6
*Find Sichuan peppercorns in your grocery store's spice aisle.
Step 7
7
Wine pairing: A powerful, spicy red like Sol Rouge 2012 Petite Sirah (Lake County; $32). The peppery black fruit hugs the beef. --Sara Schneider
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