Steak and Mushroom Stroganoff
Named after a nineteenth-century Russian count, this old-world dish has been popular on this side of the globe for decades. Countless versions fill the country’s recipe boxes, but this one is particularly sensational: tender chunks of steak, sweet shallots, loads of sautéed mushrooms and an outrageously rich sour cream sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs. beef sirloin steak
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 3/4 lb. wide egg noodles
- 2 Tbs. canola oil, plus more as needed
- 1 lb. button or cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 3 Tbs. unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup minced shallots
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream, at room temperature
- 1 Tbs. minced fresh dill, plus more for garnish
Directions:
Trim the steak of any surface fat. Cut the steak across the grain into slices 1/4 inch thick, then cut the slices into 2-inch lengths. Season with salt and pepper.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the egg noodles and stir occasionally until the water returns to a boil. Cook according to the package directions until al dente.
While the noodles are cooking, brown the steak. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the steak in batches and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned and still quite rare, about 1 1/2 minutes per batch, adding more oil to the pan as needed. Transfer the beef to a plate.
When all the steak is cooked, add the mushrooms and 2 Tbs. of the butter to the frying pan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the steak, sour cream, and the 1 Tbs. dill. Return to medium heat and simmer, stirring constantly, until the sour cream is heated through, about 1 minute. Do not allow to boil. Season with salt and pepper.
When the noodles are ready, drain them and return to the cooking pot. Add the remaining 1 Tbs. butter and toss to coat. Divide the noodles among dinner plates and top each serving with the steak and sauce. Sprinkle with dill and serve. Serves 4.
Variation: You can also make this dish with 1 1/2 lbs. thin veal cutlets, cut into strips 1/2 inch wide. Or try leftover steak. You’ll need about 2 cups of steak, cut into bite-sized cubes. Simply add it to the mushroom mixture along with the sour cream and heat through.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Comfort Food, by Rick Rodgers (Oxmoor House, 2009).