Recipe: 5 Star Steak on a 2 Star budget–It’s the Merlot Sauce

Tough times doesn’t have to mean serving friendly carnivors tough meat.  For a friend’s birthday Sunday, I wanted a great grilled steak and I am on a limited budget.   With a fabulous sauce, a less expensive cut of meat (like a sirloin tip), plus my handy tenderizer, I can plate a steak worthy of a 5-star restaurant.  This sauce is also wonderful on a hamburger or chicken or pork.  It transforms a simple meal to a beautiful & special meal.  We had a gorgeous evening on the terazzo (doesn’t a deck sound romantic when called that?) celebrating friends.  This sauce is worth a toast!

The photo is lacking, but as a novice food photographer, it’s the best I can do.  If you make this sauce and have a better pic, please feel free to send it!

Merlot Sauce

Prep time: 15 min.
Difficulty: Easy (Flats)

1 1/2 cups Merlot
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 Tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
1/4 cup chilled butter
5.2 oz. package garlic-herb cheese (such as Boursin)

Directions

In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, reduce wine to half volume.  Add tomato paste, Dijon and seasonings.  Whisk until smooth.  Continue to reduce 5 more minutes.  Add butter in small pieces and 1/4th of herbed cheese spread; stir until smooth.  Cut remaining spread into 4 pieces and place one piece on top of each piece of hot, grilled meat.  Spoon Merlot sauce over cheese and meat.

Option:  If you prefer a smoother sauce, stir all of the herbed cheese into the sauce rather than topping the meat.  This sauce is also great on hamburgers and chicken.