[bc-chris]

i'm not huge on 'sauces' on top of steak, but i had a craving for steak with a peppercorn sauce. i found this recipe online and it's unreal - soooooooooo good!!!

Peppercorn Sauce

· knob of butter
· 2 large shallots, finely chopped
· 6 medium mushrooms, sliced
· 2 tsp green and pink peppercorn, crushed
· 3 tbsp brandy
· ½ cup red wine
· 1 cup good-quality beef stock
· 3 tbsp double cream

1. Add the knob of butter to the pan, then fry the shallots, mushrooms and peppercorns over a medium heat for 5 mins, until the shallots have softened and the mushrooms browned.
2. Heat the brandy in a metal ladle, light with a match then carefully pour into the hot pan, standing as far back as you can.
3. Pour the wine into the pan, turn up the heat and boil rapidly until reduced by half. This will take about 5 mins.
4. Add the stock and reduce again, this time by two-thirds.
5. Stir the cream in to the sauce and allow it to thicken slightly.
6. Spoon the sauce over steaks