(Entrecôtes au Poivre Vert)

SERVES 4

The recipe for this dish is based on one in Glorious French Food by our friend James Peterson (Wiley, 2002). "Strictly speaking," writes Peterson, "an entrecôte is a boneless rib steak ... but nowadays, in good places at least, [it's] a contre-filet (what in New York is called a strip steak)."

4  1"-thick strip steaks (about 2 1⁄2 lbs. in all)
Salt
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2  shallots, finely chopped
1 1⁄2 cups ruby port
2 cups beef stock
1 cup heavy cream
1⁄4 cup brine-cured green peppercorns,
   rinsed and coarsely chopped
2 tsp. white wine vinegar

1. Season steaks with salt to taste on a plate, cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours. Remove steaks from refrigerator and set aside at room temperature to let rest for 1 hour.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat steaks dry; add 2 to skillet. Cook, flipping once, until well browned and medium rare, 4–5 minutes in all. Transfer steaks to a plate and tent with foil; set aside in a warm oven. Repeat with remaining steaks.

3. Remove skillet from heat and add shallots; stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add port; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until mixture is reduced to about 1⁄4 cup, 5–6 minutes. Add beef stock; boil until syrupy, 10–12 minutes. Remove skillet from heat; whisk in heavy cream. Return skillet to medium heat; boil gently until thickened, 6–8 minutes. Stir in peppercorns, vinegar, and salt to taste. Pour sauce over steaks.