This rich French sauce made of pepper, Cognac, and cream is traditionally served on steak, but it’s equally good on pork or salmon. Instead of cream, this version is given body and richness with cornstarch-thickened evaporated milk.

　　

Ingredients

makes 1 1/3 cups

　　1 tablespoon unsalted butter

　　2 small shallots, chopped fine (1/4 cup)

　　2 tablespoons crushed pepper medley

　　3 tablespoons brandy or Cognac

　　1/2 cup low-fat, low-sodium beef broth

　　1 cup evaporated skim milk

　　1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch

　　Salt

　　

Step 1

Heat a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the shallots and sauté, stirring occasionally, until they are nearly translucent, about 2 minutes.

　　

Step 2

Raise the heat to high, and add the pepper and brandy to the pan. Simmer the brandy for one minute. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Cook until the mixture has reduced to about 1/3 cup, about 5 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the evaporated milk into the cornstarch.

　　

Step 4

Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the sauce. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with salt to taste, and serve.

　　

healthy tips

Step 5

Got (evaporated) milk? Try replacing heavy cream with evaporated skim milk in cooked foods like sauces, custards, pies, and cakes. At 25 calories per 2-tablespoon serving, compared to 40 calories for cream (and none of those coming from fat), you can have your custard and eat it, too.

　　

nutrition information

Step 6

Fat: 14g (before), 0.6g (after)

　　

Step 7

Calories: 152 (before), 23 (after)

　　

Step 8

Protein: 1g

　　

Step 9

Carbohydrates: 2g

　　

Step 10

Cholesterol: 2mg

　　

Step 11

Fiber: 0g

　　

Step 12

Sodium: 51mg

　　Now Eat This by Rocco DiSpirito. Copyright © 2010 by Rocco DiSpirito. Published by Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Hailed as the "Leading Chef of his Generation" by Gourmet magazine, Rocco DiSpirito received the James Beard Award for his first cookbook, Flavor. He went on to author Rocco's Italian-American (2004), Rocco's Five Minute Flavor (2005), Rocco's Real-Life Recipes (2007), and Rocco Gets Real (2009). DiSpirito also starred in the Food Network series Melting Pot, the NBC hit reality series The Restaurant, and the A&E series Rocco Gets Real.