Sirloin steak surprise...

[AutumnWitch]

...a surprise in that it was an unexpected extra in my Ocado delivery. I called, and they can't do anything about it as it's been out of their hands.

So, this poor woman's posh supper is my unexpected bonus.

But what's the best thing to do with it? We almost never have beef, and most meat is usually the sort to go in the slow cooker.

I'm assuming I'll be consigned to some culinary hell if I just chuck it in a stew

Rub it with some olive oil, lots of black pepper and a sprinkling of sea salt. leave it to come to room temperature.

Heat a heavy based pan 'til really hot. Add a dash of oil and cook the steak, about two minutes a side for rare (yum) or a couple of minutes longer for medium/well.

Remove the steak to a warm plate and cover with tinfoil to rest for a couple of minutes. If you like, you could deglaze the pan with some brandy/wine and add a dash of cream and a little stock to make a very simple sauce.

Whatever you do, don't overcook it!

Don't put it in a stew. I once used expensive beef cuts in a stew as I figured it would be nicer (a long time ago) and my dinner guest, a chef, tld me she could tell the beef I had used was far too good quality and in fact lower quality cuts are better for stews, both for texture and taste.

I would fry the steak as homemade wrote above and then fry up some mushrooms and serve over the top with a knob of butter to melt onto the steak on your plate.

Yum

Grill or fry and serve with chips or mash and veg you fancy.
Good steak doesn't need tampering with

Thanks folks - just had it for lunch, peppered and fried to medium rare with fresh bread and salad.

Very nice, will consider it if I'm out for treat meal, but the jury's still out as to whether it's worth the scary price to feed the whole family.

DS1 enjoyed it too, but did have to be convinced not to have ketchup...

Jamie Oliver's steak sandwich

Delicious.

You didn't have to pay for it did you? Their mistake after all.

Sardine - no, I didn't :). When I called they said it was their mistake and I could have it with their compliments.

That's the sort of attitude that encourages me to stay with them, even if it isn't the cheapest.

Hooray! Free steaks all round!!!