Pan-fried Steak with Blue Cheese Butter & Crispy Bacon

Recipe by Ilse van der Merwe | The Food Fox

Serves 2
Prep time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

4-6 slices smoked streaky bacon
125 g soft butter
125 g blue cheese
60 g butter, for frying
about 500 g steak of your choice (rump, fillet, sirloin, rib-eye etc.)
salt & pepper
a handful parsley or chives, finely chopped (optional)

Method:

1. Pre-heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the strips of bacon neatly next to each other, then fry without stirring until the bottoms are golden brown. Turn once and fry the other sides until crisp and golden brown. Remove from the heat and chop into little chunks when it is cool enough to handle.
2. For the blue cheese butter: In a small mixing bowl, add the butter. Crumble the blue cheese over the butter, then mix thoroughly with a fork.
3. Place an iron skillet over high heat. When the pan is very hot, add the butter and carefully swirl the pan (using a heat-proof cloth for the handle). After a few seconds, add the steak. Fry for about 3,5-4 minutes a side for medium-rare, depending on the thickness of the meat. Season with salt & pepper as you’re frying.
4. Remove the steak from the heat onto a plate or carving board. Let it rest for at least a minute before cutting into strips. Serve hot topped with blue cheese butter and chopped parsley or chives.

Enjoy with a glass of Boland Cellar Talent & Terroir Shiraz!