There are some celebrity chefs that I watch to just watch. That is, I have no desire to actually cook what they are cooking, I just like watching them do it. Maybe pick up a hint or two. And then there are chefs, that as I'm watching, I have to fight myself from jumping up and running into the kitchen to start the recipe NOW. Jamie Oliver is definitely the latter. Everything he makes looks good, and even better than that, it looks doable.
Jamie's recipes never seem to be overdone. They aren't too fussy. So, when I was looking for nice and simple, but a little special dinner for New Years Eve, I turned to Jamie. In Cook With Jamie I found, Pan-fried Sirloin Steak with Simple Chianti Butter Sauce and Olive Oil Mash. It's actually harder to type in that long title (and points to Jamie - he names recipes just like I do), than it is to make this. It was simple, pretty, and good. What more can you ask of your dinner?
Pan-fried Sirloin Steak with Simple Chianti Butter Sauce and Olive Oil Mash
Serves 2
For the Olive oil mash:
14 oz. potatoes, peeled and halved
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Extra Virgin Olive oil
A small handful of freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
A knob of butter
For the Rest:
2 x 7 oz Sirloin Steaks, 1-inch thick, fat scored
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Olive Oil
2 knobs of butter
2 shallots, peeled and finely diced
A few sprigs of Thyme
1 large wineglass of Chianti/Zinfandel that you've been drinking
A few sprigs of watercress
Good Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1. Put the potatoes into a large pan of salted water, bring to a boil and simmer until soft and tender. Drain them in a colander and allow them to sit for 4 minutes to steam away any excess moisture. Return the potatoes to the pan and mash them up, stirring in a large glug of olive oil, the Parmesan and butter. Taste, season, and then transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and place over a pot of simmering water to keep warm.
2. Heat a heavy frying pan, large enough to cook both the steaks at once without them touching. Season your steaks and brush them with olive oil. Using a pair of tongs, hold the steaks fatty-edge down in the frying pan to render and color the fat. When the fat is golden, fry the steaks for 8 minutes in total for medium-rare, turning them every minute. Remove from the pan to rest.
3.Turn the heat down and add a knob of butter to the pan. Fry your shallots and thyme for 4 minutes, then add the wine and reduce by half. Pour in the resting juices from the meat, add the 2 remaining knobs of butter and take the pan off the heat. Stir around to emulsify and make a really simple red wine sauce. Taste, season and serve with your steak and lovely olive oil mashed potatoes with a scattering of watercress and a drizzle of good olive oil.
aneela says
It looks so delicious,steak saucerecipe is very easy.
Anonymous says
love Jamie Oliver's recipes. Delicious!
Psychgrad says
Ok - got all of the ingredients for the steak. I hope it works out for tonight's dinner!
grace says
chianti butter sauce, ooh la la! what a fancy dish--when i'm looking for supper and read a name like that, i usually just keep on moving, but this is totally doable!
Kevin says
There is just something about a photo of a perfectly cooked steak that draws me in every time!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
At heart, I'm a meat and potatoes gal, so this recipe hits all of the high points for me.
Chris says
Superb looking plate, I love the sauce pooled up like that. Great job, Pam!
Lisa says
I adore watching Jamie Oliver's cooking shows. It used to be something my oldest son and I did together.
This steak looks beautiful and so perfectly cooked. I have to try it. I'm not very good with beef but when I see something like this, well, hope springs eternal!
Psychgrad says
Watching his show makes me want to get an outdoor wood-burning oven and a massive garden (knowledgeable gardener included...ideally).
I really like the looks of the steak -- I'm thinking of making it for a dinner part in a couple of weeks.
Joanne says
I actually don't think I've ever seen Jamie cook but all of his recipes sound amazing! This steak seems so delicious. Classic but with a little extra something as added by the chianti butter sauce. Can't go wrong there.
Kate at Serendipity says
Oh, my. This looks wonderful. I love Jamie too--not only for his recipes, but also for his enthusiasm--he INSISTS that you can do it. Nigel Slater does that too.
Jamie also does some wonderful work--his school lunch program in the UK, his Fifteen restaurants, his efforts to get the British public eating real food again.
Thanks for showing us this recipe--I'm ready to dive in!
Lori Lynn says
Just added Cook With Jamie to my amazon wish list.
Thanks Pam.
Chef Fresco says
The steak looks perfect and that chianti butter sounds very delicious!
Chelle says
I think I'll make this for Valentine's Day...yum!
Thanks for sharing!
George Gaston says
What an incredible meal! And I love those Olive Oil Mashed, too. Definitely going to try this, thanks.
5 Star Foodie says
Chianti butter sauce sounds excellent! I love the idea!
chapot says
You're wright, when I look at Jaimie on TV, every recipe looks so simple, because of his energy and his passion, every thing looks so good as your recipe today
Laura says
I have never tried one of his recipes before...this looks delicious! Although I have no idea what a "knob" of butter is.
Peter M says
I do want steak now...mashed potatoes and that sauce to ooze into the spuds.
Darius T. Williams says
I love this - looks amazing...and I know EXACTLY what you mean about Jamie Oliver!
Kim says
Pam - I have a huge crush on Jamie. I think it's his personality and the fact that he seems so uncensored. I watched one of his cooking shows one day and he tripped and fell in his garden. I love that they aired it that way w/out deleting the scene. I've never tried any of his recipes, but I will pay more attention to them now because this looks wonderful!
P.S. I'm the same way with my cooking shows 😀
The Gypsy Chef says
You are right. Jamie Oliver is my favorite TV chef also. His books are terrific! Such easy reads. Plus he's easy on the eyes. I love his measurements, a gulg of this and a handful of that.
This recipe looks delicious, I will have to try it! Pam
Celestial Charms says
Lovely photo dripping with deliciousness. I hardly ever eat meat, but this looks like it could be an exception to my eating habits.
Maureen
Amy says
Emeril's dishes used to intimidate me, but then I started cooking more, and now his recipes seem pretty simple. Can you believe I have never tried a Jamie Oliver recipe? Tisk tisk, I know. I read about him all the time in the blogosphere. I think I need to buy one of his cookbooks.
This steak? Jesus...yum. Paul would marry me all over again if I made this.
All Our Fingers in the Pie says
I like Jamie, too. And this makes me want to run to the store and buy a steak. I just might do that, tomorrow.
Marjie says
I like your garnish. However, I believe that if you garnished an old shoe, it would look better. That being said, you can't go wrong with a nice medium rare sirloin steak!
A Year on the Grill says
This is a BEAUTIFUL THING! and so perfectly medium well cooked. Great presentation photo
Pam says
This meal would make me so happy! Your food photos always make me drool.
Joycee says
I agree, I rarely plan meals ahead...I depend on Food Network to help me decide "What's for Dinner!" Thanks for the great recipe...
noble pig says
Wow that looks good and I love this chianti butter sauce idea.
Fresh Local and Best says
This looks like a wonderful meal and a very doable recipe. Thanks for sharing, I'll be making this one.
Lea Ann says
Beautiful photo, looks delicious. I've never watched Jamie Oliver, I'll have to tune him in.