Cooking The Perfect Steak - Seared Filet Mignon, Buttermilk Onion Strings & Micro Green Salad

There are differing schools of thought on what makes a steak perfect. One is to sear one side for 3-5 minutes,(depending on the size of the steak) flip it to the other side for less time and then finish it in the oven. If you listen to Heston Blumenthal. of whom I am a huge fan then flipping it back and forth every 20 to 30 seconds is the way you should go. I'd never suggest this method to anyone but a chef, it's tedious but the results are incredible. My personal and professional experience tells me that no matter what method you may choose, it all starts with the quality and cut of the steak. Both factors will dictate which method will work best for you each and every time out. My suggestion is to go straight to the butcher and get a full tail of Beef Filet so that you cut the size steak that you want to eat. 

Filet Tail Straight From The Butcher.

On the Menu Today: Seared Filet Mignon with Buttermilk Onion Strings. 



Seared Filet Mignon  

 Prep Time: N/A

 Searing Time/Oven Time: 5 Minutes/10-17 Minutes 

 Stove/Oven Temp: High/450

Ingredients: Filet Mignon pp, 1 Tbs Butter,  Generous Amount
of Coarse Salt 

Process: Liberally season the steak with salt, add butter and 1 Tbs of
Oil to a smoking hot pan and sear for 3 minutes on one side and 2 on
the other side. Place in an oven preheated to 450 degrees F.  The Steak
shown is 5-6 inches thick and it took 16 minutes for Medium Rare.

Buttermilk Onion Fried Strings

 Prep Time: 20 Minutes

 Cooking Time: 10 Minutes

 Fryer Temp : 350 

Ingredients:1 Sweet Onion, 2 Cups Buttermilk, 2 Cups Corn Starch
1 Bunch Tarragon, 1 Sprig Oregano, Peanut or Fry Oil 

Process Buttermilk Onions: Thinly julienne the onions and add
to a bowl then pour the buttermilk over them, refrigerate 20 min. 

Frying Process: Add the Cornstarch to a bowl with a cover, add salt &
 pepper then drain the onions and place them in the bowl. Toss to coat
with corn starch. Place in a deep fryer preheated to 350 & cook until
light to golden brown. Chop the herbs, toss on to the onion strings
along with salt while they are still hot.

Micro Green Salad 

 Prep Time: 5 Minutes

 Cooking Time: 2 Minutes

 Oven Temp : N/A 

Ingredients: 1/4 Cup Olive Oil, 1 Tbs Balsamic Vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
1 tsp Soy Sauce, 10 Kumquats, 1/4 Red Onion, 5-6 Cherry Tomatoes
16 Oz Micro Beet Greens.

Process: Start off by combining the mustard, olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce
& the juice from  3 kumquats. Julienne the onions, add the beet greens
and dress, cut the cherry tomatoes in half, sear the remaining kumquats
and plate. Add salt and pepper to fish the salad. 

Plating: Add the Greens, then the steak directly on top. Finish by placing the
onion strings directly on top.. Enjoy with a good bottle of Old Vine Zin. 

Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin
Lodi, California.