To get the perfect sear, make sure to heat the skillet well before adding the shell steaks, and wait until they release easily from the bottom of the skillet before flipping them.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 4
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Pat dry steaks with paper towels. Season on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over high; melt butter, swirling to coat bottom of pan. Working in two batches, cook steaks 7 to 8 minutes for medium-rare, turning once. Transfer steaks to plates.
Step 2
Remove skillet from heat; add the water and scrape up browned bits from bottom of skillet with a wooden spoon. Season pan sauce with salt and pepper. Strain through a fine sieve, if desired, discarding solids. Serve steaks with sauce spooned over top. Garnish with watercress.
Making Pan Sauce
Step 3
It’s quick work to make a sauce by adding liquid to the pan and scraping up the flavorful bits from the bottom of the hot skillet. If desired, use wine (red or white) or broth in place of water.
