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To help us learn how to become expert entertainers, my mom and I often enjoy taking cooking classes at Sur La Table, as they’re an exciting and interactive way to learn tips on how to cook gourmet meals (while being able to do a fun activity together).

As my birthday gift to her, last week I treated us both to a cooking class at the brand new, state-of-the-art kitchen at the Sur la Table store at Carmel Plaza in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. This impressive, industrial-quality facility not only offers a variety of interesting cooking classes (from classes on grilling steaks & shrimp to pastry classes focusing on macarons and croissants), it also has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the beautiful outdoor shopping center’s landscaped courtyard.

How To Make a Gourmet Steak Dinner at Home - Sur la Table Cooking Class Tips

How To Make a Gourmet Steak Dinner at Home

During this particular class, we learned how to make a gourmet steak dinner, including expert advice on grilling, cooking, and baking from the entertaining and informative Chef Bill (a professional chef and former restaurateur).

In the class, we not only learned how to make the perfect steak, but he also taught us how to grill shrimp and asparagus, make a delicious fava bean side dish and bake a delectable Crème Brûlée. In today’s entertaining guide, I’ll share some of his expert advice on how to make a gourmet steak dinner at home.

How To Make a Gourmet Steak Dinner at Home - Sur la Table Cooking Class Tips

Sur la Table Recipe for Grilled New York Strip Steak with Basil Pesto

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients for Basil Pesto Marinade:

  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tbsp. toasted pine nuts
  • 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tbsp. freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Ingredients for Grilled Steak:

  • Vegetable oil, for brushing grill plates
  • 2 (10-oz) New York strip steaks, about 1¼ inch thick
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

How To Make a Gourmet Steak Dinner at Home - Sur la Table Cooking Class Tips

How To Make a Gourmet Steak Dinner at Home - Sur la Table Cooking Class Tips

Instructions for Grilling Steak:

  1. To prepare basil pesto: To a food processor fitted with a metal blade, add the garlic, pine nuts, basil, and Parmesan; process until paste forms. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  2. To prepare the steaks: Remove steaks from refrigeration and allow to come to room temperature. Marinade the steaks with the basil pesto (for 20-minutes, using this ingenious instant marinator).
  3. Preheat a gas grill or heat a large grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly brush the grill grates with vegetable oil, using a silicone pastry brush.
  4. After the steaks have marinated for at least 20-minutes, place steaks on the grill and cook until grill marks develop and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers at 130°F (for medium-rare doneness). Transfer the steak to a plate, loosely tent with foil, and rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  5. To serve: Transfer steaks to a cutting board with a well. Using a sharp knife, slice steak across the grain into thick slices. Divide steak slices between 4 warmed serving plates, spoon (or drizzle) pesto over the steak, and serve immediately.

How To Make a Gourmet Steak Dinner at Home - Sur la Table Cooking Class Tips

Now that you know how to grill steaks like the pros, it’s time to move on to the side dishes and dessert. If you want to cook a gourmet steak dinner at home, then including flavorful side dishes and desserts that complement the steak is always essential. That’s why Italian fava beans (cooked with olives, roasted bell peppers, and artichoke hearts) and grilled asparagus are two excellent side dish options. In addition, a classic Crème brûlée is an excellent idea for a dessert. Not only will these dishes impress your guests, but they’re also surprisingly rather simple to make.

How To Make a Gourmet Steak Dinner at Home - Sur la Table Cooking Class Tips

Sur la Table Recipe for Grilled Asparagus with Paprika Glaze:

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tbsp minced fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tsp pimentón (which is smoked paprika)
  • 2 tsp sherry wine vinegar
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1½ pounds asparagus, trimmed

Instructions:

  1. To prepare paprika glaze: To a small bowl, add oil, garlic, thyme, pimentón, and vinegar; whisk to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  2. To grill asparagus: Preheat a gas grill or heat a large grill pan over medium heat.
  3. Place asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet and coat with half of the glaze; season generously with salt and pepper.
  4. Using tongs, transfer asparagus to the grill, take care to place them perpendicular to the bars of the grill so they do not fall through. Grill asparagus, turning frequently, until evenly charred and tender, 4-5 minutes total.
  5. To serve: Transfer the grilled asparagus to a serving platter and spoon the remaining paprika glaze over it.

How To Make a Gourmet Steak Dinner at Home - Sur la Table Cooking Class Tips

Sur la Table Recipe for Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée:

Yield: 6, 4-oz. servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 8 large egg yolks
  • 1/3 cup plus 2 tbsp granulated sugar, divided
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and position oven rack in the center. Place the ramekins in a 3-quart rectangular baking dish and set aside.
  2. Pour the milk and cream into a small heavy saucepan and set over medium-high heat; heat until bubbles start to form around the edge of the pan. Remove the pan from the heat.
  3. To a large bowl, add egg yolks, 1/3 cup sugar, salt, and vanilla bean paste (which is different than vanilla extract); whisk to combine. While whisking, slowly pour the hot milk-cream mixture into the egg mixture and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup with a spout to remove any overcooked egg pieces and to accelerate the cooling down process.
  4. Place the baking dish into the oven and fill the molds to the top with the custard mixture. It is important to fill the molds to the top, as the custards lose volume as they bake.
  5. Using hot water from the tap, pour enough water into the baking dish to reach half-way up the sides of the molds. This is called a bain-marie and the hot water bath will insulate the custard from the direct heat of the oven and keep the eggs from cooking too fast, which can cause them to separate and scramble. Cover the baking dish with a large piece of aluminum foil. Cook the custard until it trembles or wobbles when gently shaken, about 40 minutes. If the mixture appears to not be set, continue to bake custards in the oven checking for doneness every 5 minutes.
  6. When baked, remove the molds from the water bath and place on a cooling rack until cool, about 30 minutes; cover and transfer to the refrigerator to set.
  7. To brûlée the custards: Sprinkle the surface of each cold custard with 2 tsp. or remaining sugar (use a tablespoon for large, shallow dishes). Shake the ramekin gently to distribute the sugar evenly, making sure it covers the custard all the way to the edge (any exposed custard will blacken immediately under the torch’s flame). Set the sugared custards on a flameproof surface, such as a metal baking sheet.
  8. Light the torch and, with the tip of the flame just touching the surface, move the flame over the sugar in slow circular motion until most of the sugar is melted and looks like tiny water droplets. Continue to heat, using the same circular motion, until the sugar turns a deep golden brown. The molten caramel will bubble and smoke – this is normal. Repeat until all the custards are caramelized. The molten caramel will solidify into a crisp surface as it cools. Refrigerate for 10 minutes before serving.
  9. To serve: Place the caramelized Crème Brûlée onto a dessert plate and serve.

How To Make a Gourmet Steak Dinner at Home - Sur la Table Cooking Class Tips

As you can see, making a gourmet steak dinner at home requires the right know-how and tools (which will make the whole process that much easier). That’s why taking Sur la Table cooking classes (which are hosted regularly around the USA) are a great way to learn skills from the pros. To find a cooking class near you, visit SurlaTable.com.

How To Make a Gourmet Steak Dinner at Home - Sur la Table Cooking Class Tips

For more cooking and entertaining tips from the pros, visit the Entertaining section on Inspirations & Celebrations.

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[Disclosure: Affiliate links included. This is not a sponsored post. Recipes c/o Sur la Table.]


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