Steak au Poivre a la Plancha

Grind up the black peppercorns in a pestle and mortar until coarse. Press some pepper on to each side of the steaks and leave to absorb the flavour  Picture  .

Scrape the potatoes, cook in simmering water for about 12 minute, then drain in a colander under running cold water until cool. Cut the potatoes into half inch or so cubes. Trim the stalks of a the broccoli and cut in half lengthways.

Peel and finely chop the shallots and soften in a little olive oil. Finely ground the remaining black pepper and add a couple of teaspoonfuls to the shallots. Add the calvados and madeira and reduce for a five minutes or so. Add the cream, heat and season with salt and more black pepper if required and put to one side.

Coat the potatoes and broccoli with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Put the potatoes on the plancha and cook for seven or eight minutes turning from time to time until golden brown. About three minutes to go add the broccoli and cook turning from time to time  Picture  . When done put on a dish and keep warm.

Lightly season the steaks with salt and spray with olive oil on both sides. Cook on the plancha at medium heat about three minutes per side  Picture  . Take off immediately and allow to rest for five minutes or so. Rewarm the sauce and reduce for a bit.

Put the broccoli on to serving plates, surround with some potatoes, put a steak on top, spoon over some pepper sauce and serve  Zoom  .