Go French for a fast and flavorful steak dinner

A perfect quick dinner is steak au poivre, French for steak with pepper sauce. I used a small piece of beef tenderloin, but any other quick-cooking steak – strip, rib-eye, skirt or flank – can be used.

The accompanying pepper and mushroom sauce uses shallots, a mild-flavored member of the onion family. Shallots break down as they cook, making a smoother sauce than their onion cousins. Red or white onions could be substituted.

The potatoes only take a few minutes in a microwave.

HELPFUL HINTS

Nutrition: This meal contains 557 calories per serving with 29 percent of calories from fat.

Wine suggestion: Merlot, which can be nicely rich and peppery itself, would make a fine match.

Quick prep: The quickest way to wash watercress is to place it head first into a bowl of water. Leave for a minute, then lift out and shake dry.

To buy: 1 pound red potatoes, 1 bottle crushed rosemary, 1 bunch watercress, 3/4 pound beef tenderloin (or strip steak, rib eye, flank steak, skirt steak), 2 medium-size shallots, 1 jar cracked pepper, 1/4 pound sliced button mushrooms, 1 small carton light cream and 1 can olive oil spray.

Staples: Brandy, minced garlic, salt and peppercorns.

Linda Gassenheimer is the author of 14 cookbooks including “The Flavors of the Florida Keys.” Go to dinnerinminutes.com.