Beef Steak with Pepper Sauce

Ingredients(for 1 medium steak with sauce per person)

• 300g Lean beef steak (daging lembu tanpa lemak) (choose sirloin or tenderloin)
• 2 tablespoons Coarsely ground black pepper (lada hitam)
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce (kicap masin) (low sodium preferred)
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil (or canola oil)
• 2 cloves Garlic (bawang putih) (minced)
• 1 inch Ginger (halia) (grated)
• 1 small Onion (bawang besar) (finely chopped)
• 2 leaves Daun limau purut (kaffir lime leaves) (thinly sliced) - optional
• 1/3 cup Low-fat milk (for creamy sauce)
• 1 teaspoon Cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry))
• 1 stalk Lemongrass (serai) (bruised) - optional
• to taste Salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Marinate beef steak with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, half the black pepper, minced garlic, grated ginger, and a pinch of salt. Let it rest for 10 minutes.

   10 minutes

   Marinate longer for deeper flavor.

2. 2

   Heat half the oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Sear steak for 3-4 minutes per side or until desired doneness. Transfer to a plate and rest.

   8 minutes

   Do not overcook to keep steak juicy.

3. 3

   In the same pan, add remaining oil. Sauté onions, remaining garlic, and optional lemongrass until fragrant.

   2 minutes

   Remove lemongrass before serving for smoother sauce.

4. 4

   Add the rest of the black pepper, soy sauce, low-fat milk, and daun limau purut. Simmer gently for 2 minutes.

   2 minutes

   Keep heat low to avoid curdling milk.