STEAK AU POIVRE WITH WILD MUSHROOM AND BOURBON SAUCE

Steps:

• Rub the steaks with the pepper.
• (The chef recommends coarsely ground versus cracked pepper so that it is less hot and spicy but I've used cracked pepper-in fact more than the recipe calls for-it's your call).
• Put the steaks in a shallow dish and pour 1/4 cup of the bourbon on them.
• Cover with plastic and let sit at room temp for 1-2 hours.
• Put the mushrooms in a small bowl, pour the boiling water over them and let them sit for 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 225 degrees.
• Remove the mushrooms but save the liquid.
• Rinse the mushrooms well, cut off any tough bits and discard.
• Finely chop the mushrooms.
• Strain the liquid through a sieve lined with cheesecloth and save 1/2 cup of it.
• In a large heavy skillet, heat the oil and butter over high heat until just beginning to glisten.
• Add steaks and cook until browned, about 2 minutes a side.
• Remove from heat and add the other 1/4 cup of bourbon.
• Stand back, ignite with a long match, then shake the pan until the flames die down.
• Transfer the filets to a heatproof platter and cook in the oven until done, about 15 min.
• for medium.
• Add the garlic and shallots to pan and cook over moderate heat, covered, until soft (about 6-8 min.).
• Increase the heat to high, add the 1/2 cup of reserved liquid.
• Cook, stirring constantly, until syrupy, about 2 min.
• Sir in the cream and cook until slightly reduced, 2-3 min.
• Stir in the reserved mushrooms, reduce heat to low, and cook 2 more min.
• Season with salt to taste.
• Transfer steaks to warmed plates.
• Stir any juices from the meat into the sauce and spoon over the steaks.
• Serve immediately.