Who goes gaga for steak tartare 🥩🥖?
We all have a dish or two that are standouts, ones we crave and seek out and determines where we choose to dine out. That for me my friends is hands down steak tartare! It is pricey at a restaurant and with a small portion there is never enough to go around. I discovered that making it at home is not as daunting as it appears. I've made it thrice now and I think I got the flavourings down. Getting the right fresh cut from a trusted source and the optimum mix ins and you are on your way to savouring this French delicacy at home at your whim chez vous. Bon Appétit!
The luscious French meaty fare tastes beefy but light tossed with a melange of complimentary bits- tangy gherkins, salty capers, savoury Worcestershire, piquant Dijon and Tabasco, and hits of shallots dotted with minced chives and parsley throughout. Let's not forget the creamy raw egg yolk and the extra shine of olive oil to tie it all in topped on crunchy baguette slices or kettle chips for the best mouthfeel and mouthful. #heavencanwait My family and I love French food and being the restaurant planner, it is the #1 dish the location has to master for me to make a reservation. So far in Toronto, the best steak tartares I've had was at Parquet on Harbord Street, Maison Selby and Jules Bistro. However, my experience with tartare started with horse at La Palette when it was helmed in Kensington Market. It was probably what piqued my love for this dish from way back including my restaurant romps when I frequently travelled to Quebec city for work. Don't know why I haven't returned since they moved to Queen West but maybe in general, I won't have to. Don't worry, the rest I am about to share doesn't involve horse 😊.
We always order a main portion to share with my three boys and husband, and it goes fast. We are lucky if we each get three bites and there's never enough toasted baguette slices to slather. And for 200 g the cost is easily $25 plus. I had to make this at home, and for a fraction of the price and enough to serve my army to be satisfied. Not everyone will attempt making raw steak at home, but fear not if you go to a reputable butcher, and tell them you are preparing the steak raw they will give you their best fresh option. Also for steak tartare you want it as lean as possible to get the best mince without tendon and fat. I visited Nortown on Bayview/York Mills and was offered their DiMarco cut for $16.99/lb. Lean indeed but had some fat to trim away. For that price it was a deal, considering that beef tenderloin is considered the optimum cut for this but was standing at $54.99/lb.
My research online for recipes landed on this Paul Bocuse-style. The secret lies in mincing the meat finely with a sharp knife and using the right amount of mixed herbs and condiments.
Steak TartareMakes 4 servings (as an appetizer)
300 g lean beef filet (minced with a knife or a food grinder)
1 large egg yolk from a fresh egg
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 large shallot, finely diced
1 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley
1 Tbsp. finely chopped chives
1 Tbsp. capers (roughly chopped)
2 tsp. tomato ketchup (yup, you read right)
1 Tbsp. chopped gherkins
1 to 2 tsp. tabasco (if you like it spicy)
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
Baguette, sliced on an angle
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| As you can see, there is some trimming that needs to be had. |
Prepare baguette slices in the oven on one layer at 360F until golden and crunchy. Let cool.
With a clean cutting board and sharp knife, trim fat and tendon, then finely mincing the beef. Refrigerate in a medium bowl.
Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolk and mustard together in a small bowl. Still whisking, gradually add the olive oil. |
| Note: I got extra eggs here cause I made a double recipe batch and used medium eggs 😊 |
Add all the other ingredients and whisk them in. Then add the seasoning and mix in.
Mix the dressing well into the beef; taste to readjust seasoning.
Eat as it is. Especially delicious with toasted bread slices, crunchy kettle chips or with a simple salad.
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| To do what the restaurants do, unmold tartare from a ramekin |
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| The tartare paired especially well with these truffle oil chips |
Bon Appétit!
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| Enjoy your very own steak tartare from home! |
Full Recipe:
Steak TartareMakes 4 servings (as an appetizer)
300 g lean beef filet (minced with a knife or a food grinder)
1 large egg yolk from a fresh egg
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 large shallot, finely diced
1 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley
1 Tbsp. finely chopped chives
1 Tbsp. capers (roughly chopped)
2 tsp. tomato ketchup (yup, you read right)
1 Tbsp. chopped gherkins
1 to 2 tsp. tabasco (if you like it spicy)
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
With a clean cutting board and sharp knife, trim fat and tendon, then finely mincing the beef. Refrigerate in a medium bowl.
Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolk and mustard together in a small bowl. Still whisking, gradually add the olive oil.
Add all the other ingredients and whisk them in. Then add the seasoning and mix in.
Mix the dressing well into the beef; taste to readjust seasoning.
Eat as it is. Especially delicious with toasted bread slices, crunchy kettle chips or with a simple salad.
