Published May 1, 2004.
We wanted a streamlined Steak Diane recipe with the best cut of steak, a foolproof method for cooking it, a quicker stock, and a leaner sauce. We chose flavorful strip steaks and pounded them to a ½-inch thickness for even browning; made a veal stock substitute using tomato paste, vegetables, red wine, and canned broth; and used this faux veal stock to make the sauce right in the pan in which we cooked the steak, adding cognac and just 2 tablespoons of butter. With these modifications, we were able to get our new Steak Diane recipe on the table in less than an hour.
If you prefer not to make the sauce base, mix 1/2 cup glace de viande with 3/4 cup water and 1/4 cup red wine and use this mixture in place of the base in step 4. For this recipe, use a traditional skillet. The steaks leave behind more fond (browned bits) than they do in a nonstick skillet, and more fond means a richer, more flavorful sauce. A superb embellishment for Steak Diane is a drizzle of white truffle oil just before serving. If you do not wish to flambé, simmer the cognac in step 2 for 10 to 15 seconds for a slightly less sweet flavor profile.
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