Mushroom & Smoked Paprika Steak Sauce

If you're looking for something different to serve with your grilled steak, try this super easy mushroom sauce which will liven up the most boring meal. It is flavored with Smoked Spanish Paprika which is available in a tin from specialist and gourmet food stores. You can use regular paprika, but the smoked paprika really adds a woody flavor to the food and brings out the subtle flavor of the sherry. I used flank steak in this recipe, but this sauce works well with any cut of meat.

Ingredients

• 8 ounce button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• 1/2 level teaspoon Smoked Spanish Paprika
• 1 teaspoon chicken demi-glaze
  
• 1/2 ounce butter
• 1 ounce flour, sieved
• 1/2 cup milk
• sea salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup water (if needed)
  

Recipe

1. Melt the butter in a saute pan, and saute the mushrooms for 1 minute.
2. Stir in the sherry and bring to a high heat and let the alcohol burn off. Turn heat to low.
3. Carefully fold in the sieved flour to coat the mushrooms, then slowly add the milk, and gently heat, stirring all the time until it forms a smooth paste. Add the demi-glaze.
4. Add the paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.
5. If the mixture is too thick, add a little of the water.
6. Serve over grilled meat with a green side salad and french bread.

Herb Steak Rub

This weekend was when the grilling season really got underway, and like most people we fired up the grill and tried to remember our grill skills from last year. We decided to make our own steak rub, rather than open a jar of store bought rub, and whatever you decide to put in the steak rub, it is really a simple task. The main tool, of course, is a mortar and pestle and then it's just a case of putting everything in, and mixing.

A mortar and pestle is useful for creaming garlic or herbs and grinding spice and mastic (gum arabic). Always sprinkle a little salt over herbs and garlic before crushing and pound gently and rub against the mortar base. The recipe below for a herb steak rub can be used with any cut of steak or burgers.

Ingredients for Steak Rub

1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 1 tablespoon dried
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper


Method

1. Mix together the paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper in the mortar and pestle.
2. If using on steak, slash the edges of the steaks in 2 or 3 places to prevent curling.
   
3. Rub the mixture all over the steaks or hamburgers and let stand at room temperature for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour, or cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. Bring to room temperature, if necessary, before grilling.
   

Porcelain mortars and pestles are now available at the Gourmet Fusion store.