Steak and Kidney Sponge Recipe
Recipe by Darby in Beef, Durif, Main course, Zinfandel
This is a variation on the traditional steak and kidney pie recipe. I first found it in an old Margaret Fulton cookbook. The basic sauce is the same, but instead of the traditional crusty pie topping there is a lighter sponge on top.
Basic Steak and Kidney Recipe
1 kg of stewing beef, round, blade or rump steak are suitable cuts
1 Ox kidney or 4 lamb kidneys
1 Tablespoon of plain flour
Salt
ground black pepper
Pinch of dried herbs, thyme, sage or oregano
100 ml red wine
Trim fat and gristle from the beef. Cut into 2 cm dice.
Remove core and membrane from the kidneys an cut into smaller pieces.
Coat the meat and kidneys in the seasoned flour. I find the easiest way to do this is to put the ingredients into a plastic bag and give it a good shake.
Put the meat into a casserole and simmer very gently for 2-3 hours.
For the sponge
1 cup of Self raising Flour
Good pinch salt
2 eggs separated
1 cup milk
50 g melted butter
Sift flour and salt into a basin. Make a well in the centre of the flour. Beat the egg yolks into the milk and pour into the well. Add the butter and stir the mixture until it is smooth.
Beat the egg whites until stiff and then fold into the mixture.
To assemble
Put the steak and kidney mixture into a basin that will fit inside a large saucepan or boiler. Do this while the sauce is still hot.
Pour the sponge mixture over the back of a large spoon onto the steak and kidney mixture so that it spreads out evenly.
Put the basin into a saucepan with boiling water half way up the sides. Cover the saucepan and bring to a fast boil for a half hour.
Some Wine suggestions
The strong flavours of this dish demand a hearty red wine. I would suggest a Durif or a full bodied Zinfandel



