Reader recipe competition

Our ‘Win a Trip to New York thanks to Silver Fern Farms’ competition was the second major contest promoting Bite’s new reader recipe section.

We asked readers to submit their original red meat recipe (beef, lamb or venison), and then we chose the top 10 of these — the ones favourited most by readers. The top 10 were reviewed by a panel of judges, including myself and Mat McLean (chef/owner of Hamilton’s Palate restaurant). A shortlist was cooked up and taste-tested.

Winner Shaharn Rushton’s bourbon marinade uses everyday ingredients that allow the quality of the Silver Fern Farms porterhouse steak to shine through. It’s a recipe with universal appeal that will be made time and again. If you can’t get your hands on fresh, horseradish from the jar is just fine.

Shaharn says “Steak is one of my favourite meals and this is a great marinade that brings a mild smoky flavour to the meat. The bourbon is not too overpowering and is mellowed out by the sugar. I’ve named it after one of the most iconic buildings in New York. When I think of New York I think of great architecture and amazing steakhouses where you can sit and enjoy an amazing meal and inhale the smoky aromas."

Empire steak grill (bourbon beef with horseradish cream)

Serves 2

¾ cup bourbon
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup soy sauce
3 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
Zest and juice of ½ large lemon
½ cup water
1 packet Silver Fern Farms porterhouse steak
1 cup double cream, whipped
4 Tbsp peeled, grated horseradish
1 Tbsp finely chopped chives

Directions

1. In a bowl combine the bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, lemon zest and juice and water and mix until the sugar is dissolved. Place the steak in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap and leave to marinate for 4 hours or overnight if possible.
2. Gently mix the cream, horseradish and chives together and place in the fridge. You can substitute sour cream instead of heavy cream.
3. Heat a frying pan to medium-hot and add olive oil. Cook the steaks for a few minutes on each side for medium rare.
4. I serve this with roast vegetables but it's also great with a green salad and warm crusty bread.

To save, print or favourite this recipe, go to the recipe page.

Shaharn wins an amazing trip for two to New York including dinner at the legendary Musket Room. He will be taking his wife and says it will be a long overdue adults-only trip (they have two young daughters) experiencing some of what NYC has to offer.

As well as our top prize, 10 lucky readers who favourited recipes each won a Silver Fern Farms hamper worth $100, and a further 10 won $100 cash. Here are all of the recipes from the competition.