15-Minute Creamy Chipotle–Gorgonzola Sauce

As quickly as winter arrives, my palate takes a tough flip towards wealthy, hearty meals and stays there fairly comfortably till spring. A lot of my time in the course of the coldest months is spent cooking variations of cheese-driven consolation meals. And there is not any higher winter combo than a juicy steak smothered in a velvety, tacky cream sauce.

On this recipe, I pair chipotle peppers and blue cheese in a cream sauce that is daring, savory, and simply piquant sufficient to carry its personal towards steak. Chipotle and blue cheese might seem to be an unlikely pairing, however food-science analysis means that elements can work properly collectively after they share fragrant compounds—an concept explored in a 2011 research printed in Scientific Stories. Each chipotle peppers and blue cheese comprise fragrant compounds related to smoky and savory notes, which helps clarify how the pepper’s advanced warmth and the cheese’s funky richness can reinforce one another with out overwhelming a cream sauce.

This recipe comes collectively shortly on the stovetop, starting with butter, mushrooms, garlic, and thyme cooked till deeply aromatic. Oyster mushrooms work particularly properly right here as a result of they’re tender and prepare dinner shortly, however any mushroom—corresponding to white button or cremini, or shiitake—will work properly too. The mushrooms convey a savory, earthy depth, whereas thyme provides an assertive, virtually piney herbaceousness.

Smoky, fruity chipotle peppers add light warmth and refined sweetness that play off the funky, tangy richness of blue cheese within the cream sauce. Gorgonzola works particularly properly right here for its excessive fats content material, which helps it soften easily with out overpowering the sauce. A splash of white wine brightens the sauce simply sufficient to maintain it from feeling heavy. 

This sauce comes collectively so shortly that you could make it whereas your steaks relaxation. It is easy sufficient for a weeknight, but creamy and sophisticated sufficient to really feel at dwelling in a Parisian brasserie. Spoon it over steak, roasted greens, or rooster, and do not skip the leftovers: Make an elevated steak sandwich by spreading the chilly sauce on toasted bread with sliced leftover steak and peppery arugula.