Title: Ostrich Steak W/ Vanilla
Categories: Poultry Game
Yield: 6 Servings

SEASONING RUB
1 1/2	tb	Pumpkin seeds
1/2	ts	Coriander seeds
1/2		Inch of cinnamon stick
1/4	ts	Black peppercorns
3	cl	Garlic
2	ts	Sugar
1	ts	Salt
3	tb	Dark roasted coffee; freshly
		. ground
MEAT
3		Ostrich or Rhea steaks;
		. 8oz each
SAUCE
2	tb	Butter; unsalted
3	tb	Shallots; chopped
1/2	c	Mushrooms; sliced
3	c	Chicken broth
3/4		Piece vanilla bean; split
		. lengthwise
		. *OR*
		. 2 Tsp vanilla extract
1/2	c	Half-and-half

1. Place pumpkin and coriander seeds, cinnamon and peppercorns in a shallow baking pan and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven until the pumpkin seeds release their oils and turn light brown. Remove and grind in a food processor, blender or mortar and pestle with remaining rub ingredients. Grind to a fine powder.

2. Rub the mixture onto steaks and refrigerate 2 to 4 hours.

3. Thirty minutes before serving, melt butter in a 1 1/2 quart sauce pan. Add shallots and garlic and stir over medium-high heat until shallots wilt about 10 minutes. Add stock and vanilla bean and bring to a boil over high heat. Continue to boil the mixture until it is reduced to 2 cups. Strain sauce, removing vanilla bean. Split bean in half and scrape seeds into the reduced stock.

4. Meanwhile, prepare the grill with high heat. Place steaks over coals and grill on two sides until rare, medium rare or as desired.(For a 3/4-inch rare steak, about 3 minute per side. Check often. Because the meat is low in fat, it cooks and toughens very quickly). Ostrich meat toughens quickly and is best cooked no longer than necessary.

5. Add hslf-and-half and cook over medium-high heat until sauce is warm. Remove and serve with steak.

Adapted from American Game Cooking by John Ash and Sid Goldstein

Nutritional Information: per serving: 240 calories, 10g fat, 28g protein, 9g carbohydrates, 71mg cholesterol, 917mg sodium, 1g dietary fiber Percentage of calories from fat 88%

** Chicago Sun Times - Food section - 29 November 1995 **

Scanned and formatted for you by The WEE Scot -- paul macGregor

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