Ingredients
1 boneless NY strip steak, 1 1/2 inches thick (about 1 pound)
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 shallot, finely chopped
1/3 cup cognac
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons heavy cream
Watercress or arugula, for serving
Preparation
Let steak sit at room temperature 30 minutes. Place peppercorns in a plastic bag and lightly crush with a rolling pin or meat mallet. Lightly brush steak with oil and season generously with kosher salt. Coat both sides with peppercorns, pressing to adhere. Let stand 15 minutes.
Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high until very hot, 3 to 4 minutes. Swirl in oil. Add steak and cook, flipping once, until a thermometer reads 130°F (for medium-rare), 10 to 12 minutes total. Sear fat cap to finish, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate; tent with foil. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute. Remove skillet from heat and let cool slightly.
While steak is resting, wipe skillet clean. Add butter and shallot to skillet and cook over medium, stirring often, until shallot softens, 1 to 2 minutes. Carefully add cognac and cook, scraping browned bits from pan, until almost evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add Worcestershire, broth and any accumulated steak juices from plate. Reduce sauce to 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes. Stir in cream and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute more. Drizzle over sliced steak and serve with greens.
