1. Wipe the steaks and trim off any fat and gristle

2. Crush the peppercorns coarsely in a mortar

3. Using the fingers, press the crushed peppercorns into the surface of the meat on both sides

4. Heat the oil and butter in a heavy-based saucepan

5. Fry the steaks over high heat for about 2minutes, turning them once

6. Lower the heat and cook the steaks for 5minutes if you want them rare or 10minutes for well done steaks

7. Lift the steaks from the pan onto a hot serving dish

8. Add the brandy to the butter in the pan and set it alight when hot

9. Draw the pan from the heat

10. As soon as the flames die down, gradually stir in the cream

11. Season the sauce with salt and pour it over the steaks

List of ingredients required:

(serves 4 people)

4 beef steaks
2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
1/4 pint double cream
Salt
2 oz unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons brandy