Peppered Strip Steaks With Caramelized Onions

Have made these for many years! When my kids were growing up I used a cheaper cut of meat (just marinated it in olive oil overnight)served with roquefort cheese, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, and peppers make for a juicy meal.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• STEAKS

• 2 (3/4lb)  boneless strip steaks (about 3/4 pound each)
•  cracked black pepper
• 1  baguette
•  olive oil
• 1  garlic clove
•  salt
• 1⁄4 lb Roquefort cheese
• 1  sprig fresh rosemary

• CARAMELIZED ONIONS

• 1  tablespoon unsalted butter or 1  tablespoon unsalted margarine
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 2  medium onions, sliced into 1/8-inch rounds (about 1-1/2 lbs)
• 1  teaspoon sugar or 1  sugar substitute
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
• 2  tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (optional) or 1  teaspoon dried thyme leaves (optional)

Directions

1. CARAMELIZED ONIONS:
2. Make these first as they take longer.
3. Heat butter and oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat.
4. Add onions, and cook until they begin to soften, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
5. Add sugar, salt and pepper; raise heat slightly, and cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally, 30 to 35 minutes.
6. Stir in the thyme, is using, and serve warm.
7. Put in the oven on 200ºF to keep them warm while preparing and cooking steaks.
8. STEAKS:
9. Trim excess fat from steaks.
10. Dry them well, coat all sides with cracked pepper, and refrigerate until needed.
11. Split baguette in half lengthwise.
12. Toast in the oven until golden brown.
13. Drizzle with olive oil, and rub lightly with garlic clove.
14. Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat, and sear the steaks on both sides.
15. Turn heat down to medium, and cook to desired doneness, about 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare.
16. Sprinkle with salt, and let steaks sit for 5 minutes.
17. Cut toasted baguette into four equal pieces.
18. Make four sandwiches, placing thinly sliced steak atop slices of Roquefort, then sprinkling with caramelized onions and rosemary.
19. Serve immediately and enjoy with some nice wine!