How to enhance an already perfect medium rare steak?  Cafe de Paris Beurre.  It’s that easy.

What’s that, you say????  Only the most amazing flavour packed umami bomb you will ever create.  Don’t be alarmed by the list of ingredients.  This makes a whack of butter, which you can give away to your best of friends, or stash in your freezer to pull out when needed.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound, 5 ounces unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ounce ketchup
• 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 ounce capers, rinsed
• 2 ounces shallots, finely diced
• 1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon chives, snipped
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 teaspoon dill, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon tarragon leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon rosemary leaves, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 8 anchovy fillets, rinsed and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon brandy
• 1 tablespoon madeira
• 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne powder
• juice of one lemon
• zest of 1/2 lemon
• zest of 1/4 Orange
• 2 teaspoons sea salt

Just a few of the many ingredients needed.

Okay, it might not look appetizing right now, but it smells incredible …

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter by hand or use an electric mixer set to slow speed, until it has a slightly creamy texture.
2. In a separate bowl, combine all the other ingredients and mix thoroughly. Add this mixture to the butter and beat again until all the ingredients are completely combined.
3. Place a double thickness of foil, about 12 inches long, on a flat surface and line with a similar-sized piece of silicone paper. Spread half the butter along one of the foil edges and roll up to form a long sausage shape — roll it with your hands like a rolling pin to get a tidy shape and eliminate any air pockets. Twist the ends to seal. You can also use plastic kitchen wrap, which I did this time.  Repeat this process with the remaining butter. Place in the fridge to chill before use.
4. To use, slice a ½ inch thick disc of butter and place on top of a grilled steak (or a steamed spud). Traditionally, the steak is placed back under a hot grill (broiler) to soften and brown the butter, but I don’t reckon you need to do this, just let it melt from the heat of the steak.
5. The butter can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a few weeks or in the freezer for several months.

Ready to roll into logs and pop in the freezer (or gift bags!)

Don’t just think of steaks, top any chicken or fish dish, or use it in place of garlic butter on bread.

I tried out quite a few recipes I found, and this one from Food Republic, is the definite winner, and the most like a butter topped steak we had a “Red Door” in Whistler.  If you aren’t a meat lover, don’t even worry – it’s just amazing on vegetables, scrambled eggs or melted and drizzled over popcorn!