Cube Steak with Mushroom-Sherry Sauce



4 4-ounce cube steaks
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
8 ounces sliced mushrooms (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried
1/2 cup dry sherry
1/2 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream

1. Sprinkle steaks with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and salt. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add steaks and cook, turning once, until browned and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side for medium. (If necessary, cook in two batches.) Transfer the steaks to a plate and cover to keep warm.
2. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add mushrooms, shallot and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are golden brown and release their liquid, 4 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle with flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add thyme, sherry and broth; bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream. Return the steaks (and any accumulated juice) to the pan and turn to coat with the sauce. Serve the steaks with the sauce.

Yield: 4 servings