Ok, I’ve become obsessed with peppercorn steak! All those years of not eating meat – what was I thinking! I decided my diet needed to consist of more protein and when I tasted the new peppercorn steaks at Nicholyn Farms, I was bowled over. They come pre-seasoned and fabulous and the cuts are just the right size for one person – filling but not feeling stuffed! Come on, you know you always overdo it with the steak, right? And then afterwards you’re sitting around patting your tummy and asking “What did I just do to myself?” ha!
With the holiday weekend here, (in Canada) this is a another way to include steak in your meal without overdoing it. A warning though – these little creations are not for the faint of heart – they’re messy and sloppy and you’ll want to rip into them like a caveman so be sure you’re serving them to friends and not the boss or someone you want to impress. But oh man, are they delicious!
You can do this with any type of steak and it doesn’t have to be spiced with peppercorn but it certainly adds that extra bite. Likewise with the greens – I used spinach leaves but feel free to use anything you have handy. Arugula would be a scrumptious substitute.
I added some fresh herbs to the goat cheese and whipped it to give it some fluffiness. The blueberry/balsamic sauce came together in 4 minutes with a simple addition of maple syrup.
Some fresh chives on top with a few pea tendrils strewn about make for an attractive presentation, don’t you think? Along with the herbs, the blueberries are fresh picked from Barrie Hill Farms and were beyond delicious. I’m smacking my lips again just thinking about the taste!
Another bonus about making these delectable little bites is that you can convince the grill master in your family to help out. The more, the merrier – right?
I’ve been told by American friends and family that we have too many long weekends in the summer. Is that really possible?! Americans need to lobby for that extra August holiday – we celebrate summer on the first long weekend of each August. And I suppose it’s also a celebration of surviving our winters, ha! Cheers, everyone!
- 1 baguette, cut into bite sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound peppercorn steak, or regular steak. Your choice of cut.
- 2-3 tablespoons black and white peppercorns, crushed
- 1.5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 ounces goat cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- handful of spinach or arugula leaves, washed and trimmed
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 cub blueberries
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- Additional fresh chives, chopped, for topping
- For peppercorn steak, rub the crushed peppercorns into the steak, pressing them lightly to ensure they stay while cooking. Melt butter in saucepan on high heat and cook approximately 2-3 minutes per side. (can be grilled as well)Steak should be medium rare for crostini. Remove from heat, tent loosely with foil and let rest while you prepare the other ingredients. Slice thinly after 10 -15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 and brush baguette piece lightly with olive oil. Place on baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes until golden. Remove.
- You can slice the goat cheese or whip it. To whip put in food processor or use mixer, adding chives and garlic. Whip until fluffy. 1 – 2 minutes.
- Combine balsamic vinegar, blueberries and maple syrup in saucepan and bring to a boil before reducing heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Mixture should stick lightly to spoon.
- Assembly:
- Place one spinach leaf on each baguette piece followed by a generous dollop of goat cheese. Place one slice of steak on top of cheese, and drizzle with blueberry/balsamic sauce. Top with chopped chives.
- Serve immediately
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33 Comments
Linda
August 1, 2015 at 1:51 pmVery different combinations of flavor Robyn. We always enjoy appetizers like this. So creative and striking photos. Your photos look amazing! Your hard work is paying off. Happy weekend my friend. lots of love from W.W. xo
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Robyn
August 2, 2015 at 7:25 amSomehow all the flavours work, Linda. We’ve had this twice again since I made it the first time, lol. Thanks for your sweet comments about the photography. Still working on it but happy with the progress 🙂
Time for a chat this week? Love to you, W.W. xoxo
Robyn recently posted…Peppercorn Steak Crostini with Blueberry Balsamic Sauce
Anita Rivera
August 1, 2015 at 5:26 pmOK, this looks delicious, but what is even MORE exciting are YOUR PHOTOS! Are you happy, doing the happy dance? Are you rejoicing about the perfect lighting, the MOOD you have captured? THESE ARE OUTSTANDING!
Robyn
August 2, 2015 at 7:30 amAwwhh, you are too sweet, Anita! Yes, I admittedly did the happy dance, haha. But of course, now I see a dozen things I could have done differently! All part of the learning curve 🙂
Thanks for visiting, fun lady. xoox
Robyn recently posted…Peppercorn Steak Crostini with Blueberry Balsamic Sauce
Patti
August 1, 2015 at 5:49 pmThese look AMAZING! Now I just want to run out and buy steak, lol!
Another great recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Patti
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Robyn
August 2, 2015 at 7:30 amThanks so much, Patti. They were really delicious 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Peppercorn Steak Crostini with Blueberry Balsamic Sauce
Linda
August 1, 2015 at 6:47 pmPrinting this out to make. Love,all the ingredients and flavors. Certain this will be a favorite for us. Happy Weekend! Linda
Linda recently posted…Morning Tomato Harvest
Robyn
August 2, 2015 at 7:37 amThanks so much, Linda. Loved your tomato recipes on your blog. Beautiful! Thanks for visiting 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Peppercorn Steak Crostini with Blueberry Balsamic Sauce
Marie
August 3, 2015 at 8:10 amOh my these sound so good, and your photos are truly mouthwatering! Definitely putting this on my list to make. Hope you’re enjoying your summer. 🙂
Marie recently posted…Easy Cucumber Bites
Robyn
August 3, 2015 at 6:29 pmThanks, Marie! I’m just loving my steaks these days. I made those cucumber bites of yours and they were a big hit! Thank you 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Peppercorn Steak Crostini with Blueberry Balsamic Sauce
mila furman
August 3, 2015 at 1:34 pmRobyn these look really beautiful. And if I was still eating meat I would be all over this!!! Looks fantastic!!!
mila furman recently posted…Strawberry Shortcake Stuffed French Toast
Robyn
August 3, 2015 at 6:30 pmLOL, Mila, I’ve been reading your posts and love that you’re feeling so fabulous. Your photography is blowing me away 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Peppercorn Steak Crostini with Blueberry Balsamic Sauce
Alicia@ Eco Friendly Homemaking
August 3, 2015 at 8:46 pmThis looks absolutely delicious!
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Stephanie
August 3, 2015 at 9:47 pmYum….triple yum! Wow Robyn, what beautiful presentation of your crostini….it’s almost too beautiful to eat 🙂 The ingredients sound incredible, my friend.
Thank you for sharing another delicious recipe with Roses of Inspiraiton. You are quite the inspirational lady 🙂 Hugs to you!
Bam's Kitchen
August 4, 2015 at 5:13 amYou are making me lick my chops with just the blueberry balsamic sauce but with it all together, absolutely delicious. That close up shot is so gorgeous I feel like I could reach out and grab one off your plate. However, I would not want to ruin your good shot! Pinning, Yummed and sending smoke signals…
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Grilled Moroccan Chicken and Pine Nut Quinoa
Sarah
August 4, 2015 at 11:13 amThese look and sound delicious! I love blueberry paired with savoury dishes. Pinned! Found you at Lou Lou Girls.
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Nagi@RecipeTinEats
August 5, 2015 at 4:26 pmI read “messy and sloppy” and I saw rare beef and I knew this was for me! You genius, you! Steak on crostini? LOVE it. LOVE. Sharing!
Nagi@RecipeTinEats recently posted…Salted Caramel Stuffed Brownies
Jebbica
August 8, 2015 at 1:30 pmAre you a caterer? Can you cater my…life? These look ah-MA-zing! Thanks for sharing on #FoodandFitnessFriday!
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Marla
August 9, 2015 at 9:59 amHi Robyn,
This sounds absolutely wonderful and filled with such healthy ingredients. I am a steak lover and this makes my mouth water. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted.
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Kimberly
August 10, 2015 at 11:53 amYum! This looks so amazing. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for bringing such amazing creations to our party. We hope to see you tonight at 7 pm because we LOVE to party with you! Lou Lou Girls
Derek
August 22, 2015 at 7:46 pmThese look awesome Robyn! Great pic too 🙂
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Kristen @ The Endless Meal
October 20, 2015 at 6:11 pmI’m always looking for ideas for little appetizers to serve at my supper club. These would be absolutely perfect. Pinned!!
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Robyn
October 21, 2015 at 6:08 amThanks, Kristin. They are my favourite crostini and the flavours are so fun!
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Fida | Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
December 23, 2015 at 12:31 pmYou have a beautiful blog! This appetizer looks amazing, never would have thought to pair blueberries with steak, sounds incredible.
Robyn
January 1, 2016 at 9:57 amThanks so much, Fida! It’s a great combo and I’ve made them often since these first ones 🙂 Happy New Year!
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Mahy
December 23, 2015 at 7:58 pmRobyn–these look amazing and such gorgeous photography!!! So glad I came across your blog–I love it!
Robyn
January 1, 2016 at 9:58 amThanks so much, Mahy! I’m glad we met and looking forward to seeing you in person in this new year!
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Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
February 2, 2016 at 12:52 pmSuch a beautiful dish, friend! I can’t wait to try it! <3
Don
January 14, 2017 at 6:00 pmlooks great
Robyn
January 15, 2017 at 10:07 amThanks, Don. And thanks for stopping by!
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