Malta’s Must-Try Steak with Coffee-Chilli Butter & Tips
This quick and flavorful steak recipe featuring coffee and chilli butter is perfect for a healthy, Mediterranean-inspired meal. The dish combines bold flavors like lime, coriander, and Urfa chilli flakes with a tender, protein-rich rump steak, elevated by a key slicing technique: cutting against the grain. This method shortens the meat’s muscle fibers, ensuring maximum tenderness and restaurant-quality results. With minimal prep and cook time, the recipe is ideal for busy home cooks looking to impress. Pair it with fresh vegetables or Maltese wine for a balanced dining experience that highlights both indulgence and nutrition.
Title: "Quick Steak with Coffee and Chilli Butter – Plus the Slicing Trick for Perfect Tenderness"
Are you ready to elevate your steak game with a bold, flavorful twist? This quick and easy recipe for steak with coffee and chilli butter is perfect for a delicious yet healthy meal. Plus, we’ll share the essential slicing technique that guarantees tender, juicy results every time. Whether you’re a steak lover or just looking for a fun way to spice up dinner, this dish is sure to impress.
The Secret to Perfect Steak: Slicing Against the Grain
When it comes to preparing steak, the way you slice it can make all the difference. Award-winning chef and food writer Ixta Belfrage emphasizes the importance of slicing against the grain. But what does that mean? Simply put, it’s about cutting across the natural lines or strands you see in the meat, also known as muscle fibers.
By slicing against the grain, you shorten these fibers, which makes the meat significantly softer and easier to chew. It’s a simple step, but one that takes your steak from average to restaurant-quality in no time.
Quick Steaks with Coffee and Chilli Butter
This recipe combines rich, earthy coffee with the heat of chilli and the zing of lime to create a sauce that’s as nutritious as it is indulgent. Pair it with a fresh side salad or some roasted vegetables for a balanced meal that fits right into a healthy Mediterranean-inspired lifestyle.
Serves: 2
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 4½ minutes
Rest time: 8 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 x 220g rump steaks
- Fine sea salt
- 30g salted butter
- 5g spring onion green ends, very finely chopped (save the whites for another recipe)
- 5g fresh coriander, very finely chopped
- 2 limes, halved
- Flaked sea salt
For the marinade:
- 1 tbsp mild olive oil
- ½ tbsp maple syrup
- ¾ tsp ground coffee
- ¾ tsp Urfa chilli flakes
- ¾ tsp ground urucum (also known as annatto or achiote)
- 50 twists of freshly cracked pepper
Method:
-
Prepare the Steak:
Bring the steak to room temperature about one hour before cooking. This ensures even cooking. Pat the steaks dry with kitchen paper, then generously season both sides with fine sea salt. -
Make the Marinade:
Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a small bowl. Coat both sides of the steak with just enough marinade (you won’t need it all—save the rest for the sauce). -
Cook the Steak:
Open your kitchen windows and turn on the extractor fan, as things are about to get sizzling! Heat a large frying pan on high until it’s smoking hot. Place the steaks in the pan, leaving space between them, and cook for 2½ minutes. Flip the steaks and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board to rest for 8 minutes. -
Prepare the Butter Sauce:
Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Add the butter, spring onion greens, coriander, the juice of one lime, and the remaining marinade to the pan. Swirl everything together until the butter melts into a rich, flavorful sauce. -
Slice and Serve:
Thinly slice the steak against the grain for maximum tenderness (refer to the slicing tip above). Plate the steak slices, sprinkle with flaked sea salt, and spoon the butter sauce generously over the top. Serve with the remaining lime halves for an extra burst of freshness.
A Healthy Twist on Indulgence
This recipe is a great way to enjoy a hearty, protein-rich meal while staying mindful of your health. The olive oil and fresh herbs provide essential nutrients, while the lime adds a dose of vitamin C. The use of Urfa chilli flakes and urucum not only adds depth of flavor but also boasts antioxidant properties that can support overall well-being.
In Malta, where food is central to both culture and lifestyle, this dish fits beautifully into a Mediterranean-inspired diet. Pair it with locally sourced vegetables or a crisp Maltese white wine to create a dining experience that’s as nourishing as it is flavorful.
Elevate Your Home Cooking
Cooking steak might seem intimidating, but with these tips and tricks, you’ll be serving up tender, restaurant-quality meals in no time. Whether you’re treating yourself after a long day or hosting a dinner for friends, this recipe delivers bold flavors with minimal effort.
Looking for more recipes and tips to enhance your healthy lifestyle? Stay tuned for more inspiration from Malta’s vibrant food scene!