Ingredients

  • 4 (20 to 22-ounce) bone-in dry aged rib-eye steaks
  • 2 tablespoons Essence, recipe follows
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 shallots, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1 cup Gorgonzola cheese (about 4 ounces), crumbled
  • 1/4 cup prepared horseradish
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/4 cup Applejack brandy
  • 1/2 cup dried cherries
  • 1/4 cup chopped dried persimmons
  • 1 cup wild rice
  • 8 cups chicken stock
  • 2 teaspoons salt, plus additional to taste
  • 1 tablespoon corn or vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
  • 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced orange zest
  • 1 cup jasmine rice
  • 3/4 cup diced pumpkin
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus extra for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Method

  • To make the steaks: Season the steaks on both sides with the Essence, and salt and pepper.
  • Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
  • Grill steaks 5 minutes on each side.
  • To make the sauce: Saute the shallots in butter in a saucepan until translucent.
  • Add the wine and reduce until almost dry.
  • Add the cream, bring to a simmer and reduce slightly.
  • Whisk in the Gorgonzola cheese and horseradish and cook until the cheese is melted.
  • Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
  • Add parsley.
  • Set aside.
  • To make the rice pilaf: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a small saucepan add the brandy and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  • Remove from the heat.
  • In a small bowl, combine the dried cherries and persimmons and pour the hot brandy mixture over the fruit.
  • Let sit until the fruit is softened, 20 minutes.
  • Drain in a strainer.
  • Discard the soaking liquid.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine the wild rice with 6 cups of the stock and 1 teaspoon of the salt.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook undisturbed until the rice is just tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat.
  • Drain the wild rice, rinse quickly and transfer to a large bowl.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium ovenproof saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add the shallots and cook, stirring, until softened, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and orange zest and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Add the jasmine rice and pumpkin and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Add the soaked fruit, sunflower seeds, parsley, vinegar, honey, and thyme.
  • Add the remaining 2 cups of chicken stock and bring to a boil.
  • Stir, cover, and bake in the oven until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes.
  • Remove the rice from the oven and let sit undisturbed for 10 minutes.
  • Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Add the wild rice and toss thoroughly to mix.
  • Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Spoon the rice pilaf on a plate next to the steaks, garnish with the parsley, and serve immediately with Gorgonzola sauce on the side.
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
  • Yield: about 2/3 cup
  • Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch.
  • Published by William and Morrow, 1993.