Ingredients
4 slices bacon, chopped into 1-inch pieces
Salt
1 pound spaghetti
4 New York strip steaks (8 ounces each)
Ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
5 tablespoons butter, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken stock
1/4-1/3 cup cream or half-and-half (eyeball it)
8 ounces blue cheese crumbles
2-3 tablespoons chopped sage leaves
2 tablespoons chives, chopped (a palmful)
2 cups arugula (a small bunch) cleaned, trimmed and shredded
Directions
Put a large pot of water on the stove to bring to a boil for pasta.
Pre-heat broiler to high with rack on top shelf.
Pre-heat medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crisp.
Salt water for pasta and add spaghetti to the pot. Cook to al dente, with a bite to it.
Season the steaks with salt and pepper on both sides and arrange on slotted broiler pan.
Remove bacon to paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon to drain off most of the fat; return pan to heat and reduce heat to medium. Add EVOO, about two turns of the pan, and one tablespoon butter. When butter melts into EVOO, add in two cloves garlic and the shallots. Sauté for three minutes.
Arrange steaks on the broiler pan. Place under broiler – leave door to oven cracked ajar to limit flareups and smoke. Cook four minutes on each side for medium-rare, up to 5-6 minutes on each side for medium-well doneness.
To the garlic and shallots, add in flour and cook a minute more. Whisk in stock, bring to a bubble, about 30 seconds, then stir in the cream. When cream comes to a bubble, add in blue cheese and sage and a few grinds of black pepper. Stir until cheese melts. Reduce heat to lowest setting.
Soften four tablespoons butter in microwave on high for 15 seconds. Mix in chives and two cloves minced garlic and reserve.
Remove steaks from oven and let rest for five minutes. Place a quarter of the chive and garlic butter mixture on each steak to melt down over the meat as they rest.
Drain pasta and toss with sauce to coat and combine evenly. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve steaks with pasta alongside. Scatter the arugula and bacon bits across the top of the pasta for a flavorful garnish.
