Molho de Cafe
Molho de Cafe - kvalifood.com
Molho de cafe is a Lisbon steak sauce made by deglazing a steak pan with port wine and espresso, then finishing with cream. The dish (bife com molho de cafe) is a Lisbon institution. The sauce should be made in the same pan used to sear the steaks.
Makes sauce for 4 steaks
Ingredients
- 100 ml strong brewed espresso (2 shots), cooled slightly
- 150 ml heavy cream
- 50 ml tawny port wine
- 1 tbsp butter (15 g), cold, cut into pieces
- 2 garlic cloves (ca. 10 g), lightly crushed
- 1 dried bay leaf
- freshly ground black pepper
- salt
Directions
- After searing steaks, lower heat to medium. Add crushed garlic and bay leaf. Cook 30 seconds.
- Pour in port wine. Scrape up browned bits. Let reduce by half (about 1 minute).
- Add espresso. Simmer 1 minute.
- Pour in cream. Simmer 2-3 minutes until the sauce coats a spoon.
- Remove from heat. Discard garlic and bay leaf. Whisk in cold butter pieces for gloss.
- Season with salt and pepper. Spoon over steaks.
Notes
- Milk variation (historical): replace cream with 150 ml whole milk. Add 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in the milk for body. This is closer to the original “bife a cafe.”
- Use a strong espresso or moka pot brew. Filter coffee will taste flat.
- Tawny port adds rounded sweetness. Ruby port or dry red wine also work.
- Traditionally served with fried potatoes.
See Also
January 15, 2014
Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e Pepe - kvalifood.com
Cacio e pepe is a Roman pasta dish made with three ingredients: pasta, Pecorino Romano, and …
read more
December 23, 2010
Mojo Rojo (Canary Islands Red Sauce)
Mojo Rojo (Canary Islands Red Sauce) - kvalifood.com
A spiced oil emulsion from the Canary Islands built on olive oil, …
read more
November 21, 2022
Arrabbiata
Arrabbiata - kvalifood.com
Arrabbiata is a Roman tomato sauce with a clear chili kick – the name means …
read more
March 10, 2021
Biber Salcasi (Turkish Red Pepper Paste)
Biber Salcasi (Turkish Red Pepper Paste) - kvalifood.com
A concentrated pepper paste from southern Turkey – sweet …
read more
February 16, 2023
Pesto Genovese
Pesto Genovese - kvalifood.com
Pesto alla genovese is the basil pesto from Liguria. Fresh basil leaves are ground with …
read more