Texas-Sized Steak, Flavor, on a Shoestring
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that definitely applies to steaks.
David Holben, executive chef of the Dallas-based Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House, has worked in some of the finest restaurants in the world, but has always returned to Texas, where Del Frisco's is known as one of the best in a state known for its steaks.
Holben agreed to take on "The Early Show Saturday Edition"'s "Chef on a Shoestring" challenge of preparing a three-course meal on the lean budget of just $35.
All our Chefs on a Shoestring are automatically entered in our "How Low Can You Go?" competition, in which the ones with the lowest ingredient totals will be asked back to prepare our elaborate year-end holiday meals.
MENU
• Seared Sea Scallops & Sweet Corn Pancake
• Pepper-Crusted Beef Tri Tip Steak with Vegetable Mint Couscous
• Baked Apple Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream
FOOD FACTS
Sea Scallops: Scallops have two beautiful fan-shaped shells that are often used as containers in which to serve dishes. Though the entire scallop including the roe is edible, the portion most commonly found in U.S. markets is the adductor muscle that hinges the two shells. There are many scallop species but in general they're classified into two broad groups - bay scallops and sea scallops. The muscle of the larger, more widely available sea scallop averages 1 1/2 inches in diameter and is not as tender as the smaller varieties. Though slightly chewier, the meat is still sweet and moist. (Source: "Food Lover's Companion")
Tri-Tip Sirloin: This cut of beef is found in the round which is the section of the hind leg that extends from the rump to the ankle. Since the leg has been toughened by exercise, the round is less tender than some cuts. The tri-tip or sirloin tip is part of the tougher bottom sirloin and the better grades can be oven-roasted; otherwise moist-heat methods should be used to tenderize. (Source: "Food Lover's Companion")
Frangipan: A rich pastry cream flavored with ground almonds and used as a filling or topping for pastries and cakes. (Source: "Food Lover's Companion")
RECIPES
Grilled Sea Scallops & Sweet Corn Pancake
INGREDIENTS:
Pancake Mix
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup soda water
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons corn flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons stone ground corn meal
1/16 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup sautéed spinach, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup pecan pieces, toasted
1/4 cup fresh corn kernels, blanched
4 slices lean bacon, diced and rendered crispy (reserve half for garnish)
1 red bell pepper, cut into very small dice and sautéed in olive oil
Salt, pepper & cayenne to taste
METHOD:
Blend the flour, corn meal, baking powder and sugar in a stainless bowl. Set aside.
In a blender add the cream, soda water and peppers. Pulse 5 to 6 times. Using a whisk, mix the wet into the dry ingredients. Stir in the pecans, bacon, spinach and corn. Season with salt pepper and pinch of cayenne.
INGREDIENTS:
Mustard Sauce
2 tablespoons shallots, chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 bay leaf
8 ounces chicken or fish stock
8 ounces heavy cream
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD:
Place shallots, wine, bay leaf and stock in a sauce pot and reduce until almost dry. Add cream and reduce to sauce consistency. Pass through a fine strainer. Whisk in mustards and season with salt and pepper to taste.
INGREDIENTS:
Sea Scallops
4 jumbo sea scallops, cleaned
1 tablespoon Italian parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD:
Toss the scallops with the parsley and oil. Season with salt and pepper. Grill until medium.
TO SERVE:
GARNISH INGREDIENTS:
Reserved bacon
Chives
METHOD:
In a heavy bottom skillet with a small amount of olive oil, using 1/2 cup of pancake mixture form pancake approximately 3/4 inch thick. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes on each side until lightly brown.
Place pancake in center of plate and grilled sea scallop on top. Surround the pancake with mustard sauce. Sprinkle with chives and bacon.
FOR HOLDEN'S STEAK AND DESSERT RECIPES, GO TO PAGE 2.
Cracked Black Pepper Crusted Beef Tri Tip Steak
INGREDIENTS:
Mint-Shallot Vinaigrette
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup sherry vinegar
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup pure olive oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
1/4 cup mint leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD:
In a blender add all the ingredients, puree until smooth, season with salt and pepper.
INGREDIENTS:
Mint-Vegetable Couscous
1 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 cup couscous
1/4 cup diced yellow squash
1/4 cup diced zucchini
1/4 cup diced white mushrooms
METHOD:
Place the water, butter, lemon zest and salt in a sauce pot and bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous, remove from heat, place in a bowl and cover with plastic film. Let stand 5 minutes, uncover and fluff with a fork to separate the grains.
Blanch the vegetables until tender, and then add to the couscous. Dress with the mint vinaigrette to taste. Season with salt and pepper.
INGREDIENTS:
Beef
1 pound beef tri tip trimmed evenly
2 tablespoons garlic puree
1/4 cup cracked black pepper
Olive oil
METHOD:
Coat the beef with the garlic puree and the cracked pepper. Season with salt. Sear tri tip in a small amount of olive oil over high heat.
Place in a 350°F oven for about 6 to 8 minutes or until medium rare. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Slice the beef into 1/8 inch slices and plate with the mint-vegetable couscous and mint-shallot vinaigrette.
Baked Apple Tart
INGREDIENTS:
Four 4"x5" puff pastry sheets
Frangipan* (see below)
2 granny smith apples, peeled and cored
2 tablespoons softened butter
1 egg yolk and a few drops water
4 large scoops vanilla ice cream
METHOD:
Cut rectangles of puff pastry, about 4"x 5" if not already done. With a knife, mark a smaller rectangle 1/8 of an inch inside the perimeter of the dough, to form a border.
Spread a small amount of frangipani over inside rectangular surface. Cut apples in half and thinly slice. Push down on apple slices to fan out in a straight line. Lift apple with spatula and place on top of frangipani. Brush apple with softened butter. Brush border with egg wash. Bake 400°F until golden about 8-10 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
*Frangipan
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup almonds, blanched and slivered
1/2 cup vanilla pudding
1/2 cup butter, softened
Grind almonds in a small food processor until fine. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
So, how did David do with our $35 budget?
Sea Scallops:
heavy cream $1.19
corn meal $.99
spinach $1.00
pecans $.99
corn meal $.60
bacon $2.00
red pepper $1.00
shallots $.16
white wine $1.99
chicken stock $1.39
Dijon mustard $1.69
scallops $3.50
parsley $.99
Total $17.49
Tri Tip Steak:
couscous $.99
squash $.84
zucchini $.73
mushrooms $.79
beef $6.99
garlic $.39
mint $.69
Total $10.73
Apple Tart:
puff pastry $1.29
apples $.74
ice cream $.99
almonds $1.86
vanilla pudding $1.19
Total $6.07
Grand total: $34.98
Our current leaders:
1. Robert Carter $32.24
Peninsula Grill
2. Paul Liebrandt $32.35
Corton
3. George Mendes $32.49
Aldea