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Bife a caballo
Steak with fried eggs
Bife a caballo: pan-seared steak topped with two fried eggs and served with chips
On the chalkboard of any neighbourhood bodegón in Buenos Aires you will find bife a caballo, steak "on horseback": a thick bife de chorizo (sirloin) or rump seared hard in a hot pan, crowned with two fried eggs whose yolks run into the meat juices, and served with a pile of chips. It is the plate for hungry taxi drivers at lunch and for anyone recovering from a long night. Cook the steak to your taste; Argentines usually ask for it jugoso (medium rare, about 55 °C in the centre) or a punto (medium, about 60 °C). Use eggs fried until the whites are fully set, and cook the yolks firm for anyone vulnerable. Crowding a pan that isn't hot enough is the classic mistake, which stews the steak grey, so let the pan smoke first. Chef's tip: rest the steak while you fry the eggs in the same pan; the beef juices in the fat give the whites crisp, savoury edges.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
- 2 sirloin or rump steaksabout 250 g each, 2.5 cm thick, at room temperature
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 tsp coarse salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 eggs
- 1 ⅛ lb chipsoven or homemade, to serve
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Put 1 ⅛ lb chips in the oven to cook according to the packet, or fry your own, so they are ready when the steaks are.
20 minStep 2: Pat 2 sirloin or rump steaks dry. Heat half of 1 tbsp sunflower oil in a heavy frying pan over a high heat until it just smokes.
3 minStep 3: Season the steaks with 1 tsp coarse salt, lay them in the pan and leave untouched for 3–4 minutes, until a dark crust forms.
4 minStep 4: Turn and cook for 3–4 minutes more for medium rare (131°F in the centre) or 5 for medium (140°F). Cooking time is to your taste. Move to a warm plate, grind over ½ tsp black pepper and rest.
4 minStep 5: Lower the heat to medium, add the rest of 1 tbsp sunflower oil and crack in 4 eggs. Fry for 3–4 minutes, spooning hot fat over the whites, until they are set and the edges are crisp.
4 minStep 6: Put each steak on a plate, slide two eggs on top and serve with the chips.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 860 kcal
- Protein
- 66 g
- Carbs
- 45 g
- Fat
- 45 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bife a caballo take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
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