Spice-Crusted Steaks with Cherry Sauce

If you’re hosting meat lovers, these impressive cast-iron skillet steaks are guaranteed to please. They’re perfect for a special-occasion dinner without too much fuss.

Spice-Crusted Steaks with Cherry Sauce

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TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. + chilling Cook: 45 min.
YIELD: 4 servings.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup dried cherries
  • 1/4 cup port wine, warmed
  • 3-1/2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground coffee
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 4 beef tenderloin steaks (1-1/4 inches thick and 6 ounces each)
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 large shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • Crumbled blue cheese, optional

Instructions

  • 1. In a small bowl, combine cherries and wine; set aside. In a shallow dish, combine the pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, coffee, salt, cinnamon, cumin and mustard. Add 1 steak at a time and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • 2. Place oil in a 10-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet; tilt to coat bottom. Heat oil over medium-high heat; sear steaks, 2 minutes on each side. Bake, uncovered, at 350° until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°), about 15 minutes. Remove steaks and keep warm.
  • 3. Whip skillet clean; saute shallot in butter until crisp-tender. Add broth and thyme. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half, about 8 minutes. Stir in cream; bring to a boil. Cook until thickened, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes.
  • 4. Stir in the reserved cherry mixture. Serve sauce over steaks. If desired, sprinkle with blue cheese.
  • 5.

Nutrition Facts

1 steak with 3 tablespoons sauce: 506 calories, 28g fat (13g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 381mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 39g protein.