Bistrot Paul Bert Pepper Steak
Definitely a celebratory entree, this Bistrot Paul Bert Pepper Steak from Dorie Greenspan is both simple to make and elegant.
Dorie’s time in Paris inspired this Skillet Filet Mignon drizzled with a rich Cognac cream sauce. It’s her version of a favorite beef dish enjoyed at the charming Bistrot Paul Bert in the 6th arrondissement.
Table of contents
Why You Must Make
- It’s a quick, delicious, restaurant-worthy entree!
- This beef pepper steak is ideal for company or special occasions.
- It only takes about 10 minutes of cooking time and minimal ingredients
I was delighted when this exquisite Pepper Steak Recipe made the French Fridays with Dorie April rotation. April brings a lot of celebrations at our house: Bill and Nick’s birthdays, our wedding anniversary (25 years on the 5th!), and often Easter. With these special dates comes a need for winning meals. I served these tender beef filets with sauteed mushrooms, broccoli, and new potatoes, this was a feast worthy of any special occasions. Dorie did not disappoint.
Ingredient Notes
- Kitchen Staples – Vegetable Oil, Kosher salt, Butter
- Filet Mignons – 1½- inches thick, at room temperature
- Black Peppercorns – I keep a stock of Penzey’s Tellicherry Indian Black Peppercorns
- Cognac – A fine brandy that’s double distilled in Western France.
- Heavy Cream – 36% Butterfat
Serving Suggestions
A senior member of the family, who will remain nameless, preferred ketchup with his pan-seared filet mignon; but did enjoy the cognac sauce as well. This quick, delicious entree will return to our dinner menu frequently. It received thumbs up from the four carnivores in the family. If you know my picky family, this is a ringing endorsement!
- Caesar Salad
- Roasted Green Beans
- Twice Baked Potatoes
- Mashed Potatoes
- No-Knead Bread
- Plus, check out all my Best Beef Recipes
I wish I could say the same about the beets and mushrooms, but you can’t win them all! You can find this pepper steak recipe in Around My French Table or in the Houston Chronicle.
Bistrot Paul Bert Pepper Steak Recipe
Beef fliets coated with cracked black peppercorns and pan seared, then served with a Cognac cream sauce. Easy and elegant!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of black peppercorns, coarsely cracked or ground
- 4 filet mignons, 1½ inches thick, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon canola or vegetable oil
- ½ tablespoon of butter
- ¼ cup Cognac
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Kosher salt, to tase
Instructions
- Sprinkle your filets with kosher salt, then sprinkle with peppercorns, pressing them into the meat with the palm of your hand.
- Heat a heavy skillet over high heat, then add the oil and butter.
- Cook the steaks 2-3 minutes per side for rare steaks. Remove from pan and let rest covered with foil.
- Pour off any excess fat in the pan, and let the pan cool.
- Add the Cognac to the pan and cook over medium heat until it's almost all evaporated, scraping up any bits left from cooking the steaks (they're full of flavor!).
- When the Cognac is reduced, add the cream, and let it cook for 2-3 minutes. Taste and add a touch of salt.
- Spoon the sauce over the filets to serve.
Notes
I use my Krups coffee grinder to grind peppercorns.
Bring the steaks out of the refrigerator for up to an hour before grilling to get the chill off. This will allow for more even grilling.
Recipe from Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan.
27 Comments on “Bistrot Paul Bert Pepper Steak”
Happy anniversary 🙂 The steak looks delicious. Love this 🙂
HAPPY 25th…Lizzy!…Wow! Silver Anniversary!
Now, you made a fabulous steak dinner via “Dorie”…a nice bottle of wine, and you didn’t even have to go out.
All you need now is a beautiful cake for the occasion…but then again, you can do it all, Lizzy…LOL
The steaks with the amazing cognac sauce is fit for “royalty”…and you deserve the best, my sweet friend!
xoxo
Your pictures are so enticing, they always make me so hungry. I love the little bowl you have your spices in – where can I find one?
Happy 25th Anniversary! Lizzy,apparently your better half is in good company. I read somewhere that Jackie Kennedy was known to ask for ketchup while sailing on the Onassis yacht.
Happy Anniversary! We really loved the sauce, too. I’m looking forward to making this again some time.
I love ketchup on my steak too, with a little Worcestershire sauce mixed in. It’s my guilty secret. Lovely presentation. Happy anniversary!
Such a beautiful presentation, Lizzy. Your steaks look wonderful. I hope you had a very Happy Anniversary!
Congrats on your 25th anniversary, Liz! Love the beets on your plate 🙂
Nana and I send congrats on the anniversary and the great steak 🙂 Wonderful photos – it all looks simply divine. And it ketchup makes it better, to each his own….
Happy Anniversary! What a great celebratory dinner!
Congratulations Lizzy;-)
You’ve chosen a wonderful meal to celebrate and your steak looks beautifully cooked. Beautiful photos;-)
Lizzy, So glad you finally pleased the fussy members of your family! I cracked up with the ketchup comment. LOL. Your photos are lovely, as usual. Congratulations on 25 years!!
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Happy Anniversary we have Filet as well this needs to be tried by us next lol Happy next 25 years!
This looks like the perfect meal for all those celebrations! Cognac cream sauce sounds amazing!
Happy Anniversary! You met the requirements of the challenge and then some. Your tenderloins and sauce are really gorgeous. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Happy Anniversary!
My husband’s birthday is also on the 5th! It seems that everybody has a lot to celebrate these days, at minimum the NFL draft and the royal wedding. 🙂 Gorgeous meal as always, Liz!
Happy anniversary! Your steak looks delicious! My husband puts A-1 on any steak, even a fancy one so I feel your pain there!
Happy Anniversary!
Ketchup???? Actually, I have someone who thinks ketchup is a food group – so I kind of get it 🙂
Happy Anniversary!
Congrats on all your great days…especially your anniversary. Your meal…and especially the steaks…looks so delish…great job and nice post.
Happy Anniversary! Your steaks and the fingerling potatoes look amazing!
Congrats on your wedding anniversary! What a great meal for a celebration!
We have steak for celebrations too…and my husband would love this!
Love your blog!! I am now a follower!
That skinny chick can cook Steak! Your photos are gorgeous!