Banyuls-Marinated Steaks with Pearl Onions
- Six 3/4-inch-thick rib-eye steaks (8 to 10 ounces each)
- 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons Banyuls, or another fortified wine, such as port or Madeira
- 4 thyme sprigs
- 2 pints pearl onions
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Put the steaks in a large, shallow glass or ceramic baking dish in a single layer.
- Pour in 2 cups of the Banyuls, add the thyme sprigs and turn the steaks to coat.
- Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for 3 hours.
- Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil.
- Add the pearl onions and cook for 2 minutes to loosen the skins.
- Drain the onions and peel them.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet.
- Add the pearl onions, water and sugar, cover and cook over low heat until the onions are tender and most of the water has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
- Uncover the skillet and season the onions with salt and pepper.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of Banyuls and cook over moderate heat, shaking the pan, until the onions are caramelized and coated with a syrupy sauce, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat.
- Light a grill or preheat a grill pan.
- Pour the marinade, along with the thyme sprigs, into a small saucepan and boil over moderate heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes.
- Discard the thyme sprigs.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is thick and smooth.
- Whisk in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Season the steaks with salt and pepper.
- Grill the steaks over a moderately hot fire or moderately high heat until deeply charred and rare in the center, about 4 minutes per side.
- Put the steaks on a large warmed platter.
- Reheat the pearl onions.
- Rewarm the wine sauce over low heat, whisking constantly.
- Pour the sauce into a warmed gravy boat.
- Arrange the steaks and pearl onions on dinner plates and serve.
- Pass the sauce at the table.
banyuls, thyme, onions, unsalted butter, water, sugar, salt, extravirgin olive oil
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/banyuls-marinated-steaks-with-pearl-onions (may not work)