Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 tablespoon minced shallots

2 tablespoons green peppercorns (packed in brine)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

2 tablespoons brandy, preferably Cognac

2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1 cup beef broth, preferably homemade

½ cup heavy cream

Salt, to taste

Preparation

DIRECTIONS

  1. Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots, green peppercorns and 1 tablespoon of the butter and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots have softened, about 3 minutes.

  2. Remove the skillet from the heat, add the brandy and return to the heat. Cook until the alcohol has burned off, about 1 minute.

  3. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until it has been absorbed, about 1 minute. Add the beef broth and increase the heat to medium-high. Simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce has reduced by half, 3 to 5 minutes.

  4. Add the cream and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until the sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to make it smooth. Season with salt. Serve with steak, pork chops or roast chicken.