Bistro-Style Skirt Steak with Sautéed Shallots - Bavette aux Echalotes

At the risk of repeating myself, I will tell you that I love French bistro cooking.  Simply put, it makes me very happy.  In fact, bistro food should make all of us happy.  It's comforting, generous, convivial and unpretentiously rooted in French tradition.  How can anyone not like it? 

I became familiar with bistros when I lived in Paris and Geneva.  Found in every neighborhood, the bistro was the go-to restaurant for consistent, delicious, and fun food.  Welcoming, bustling, and casually elegant, it was home away from home - satisfying and soothing in its predictability, its well worn ambience, and its dedicated timelessness.  Now, years later, there isn't a bistro in my neighborhood, but I do seek it out in restaurants and cook bistro fare at home.  It's perfect for entertaining and families, and since my family was raised eating bistro food in Europe, it's one of our preferred cuisines  for home cooking.

So, needless to say, I was very excited when Johanna at the Passionate Cook announced Bistro Food as this month's theme for the foodblogging event Waiter There is Something in My... (or WTSIM) - I knew I couldn't miss it.  Skirt Steak with Sautéed Shallots or Bavette aux Echalotes is a classic item on bistro menus.  The less expensive cut of meat is pan-fried on the stove and then served heaped with sautééd, caramelized shallots.  It's quick to prepare, delicious to eat and economical on the wallet.

Bistro-Style Skirt Steak with Sautéed Shallots - Bavette aux Echalotes
Serves 4

4 skirt steaks, approx. 8 oz./250 g. each
2 tablespoons high heat oil (canola or grapeseed)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
8 large shallots, peeled, thinly sliced
1/3 cup/80 ml. red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Prepare Steak:
Use 2 skillets or cook in 2 batches:  Heat one tablespoon canola oil in skillet over medium-high heat.  Add 1 tablespoon butter to skillet and swirl around to brown.  Add steaks, 2 at a time to skillet.  Cook turning once until seared and cooked through to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare.  Transfer steaks to platter and tent with foil to rest. 

Prepare shallots:
Add one tablespoon olive oil to skillet.  Add shallots and sauté over medium heat until golden brown, about 6 minutes.  Add red wine vinegar and cook until liquid is absorbed.  Add 1 tablespoon butter, thyme and any juices from meat to the shallots. Cook, stirring, to incorporate, about 30 seconds.  Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.  Arrange steaks on individual plates or serving platter.  Top with shallots and serve.

Comments

[Chris]

Your blog is great. Such a diverse set of recipes.

Chris

[Lynda]

Thanks, Chris!

[giz]

I love French bistro too - so comforting and pretty unpretentious

[johanna]

oh yes! this is lovely, lovely, clean bistro cooking. you are right: no-one in their right minds can NOT love bistro cooking (unless, of course, they're vegetarian ;-)
lovely entry, thanks for taking part in WTSIM!

[Paula Maack]

A quintessential bistro item, indeed. Nicely done, too. Look perfect!

In fact, your version looks much better than the one I had at Chez Julien, in Paris! Beautiful!

Cheers,

~ Paula