Steak and Mushroom Cobbler with Gruyere Biscuit Topping

 

1 3/4 pound flank steak, cut into 1-inch cubes

4 T. olive oil

1 T. yellow onion, chopped

3 T. garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 pound portabella mushrooms, medium diced

3 pound carrots, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

2 T. all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cup reduced-sodium beef broth

1/2 cup hearty red wine, such as shiraz

1 T. dijon mustard

1 T. finely chopped fresh thyme

 

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. fine sea salt

2/3 C. shredded Gruyere cheese (2 ounces)

6 T. cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

3/4 cup heavy cream

2 T. freshly grated parmesan cheese

 

To make the filling: Season the steak with salt and pepper. Heat a large heavy skillet over high heat. Add 1 T. of the olive oil, then add the steak pieces and cook, turning occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until browned. Transfer the beef to a bowl and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 T. of the olive oil to the skillet, then add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the skillet, for about 2 minutes, or until the onions soften. Transfer the onion mixture to the bowl with the beef. Heat the remaining 2 T. olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes, or until tender and beginning to brown. Add the carrots and cook for about 1 minute. Sprinkle in the flour and stir well. Return the beef and onion mixture, with any juices, to the skillet. Stir in the broth, wine, mustard, and thyme and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes, or until the liquid has thickened into a light sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the beef mixture to a 13 » 9 x 2-inch baking dish and set aside. Preheat the oven to 400°F. To make the biscuits: In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Using a pastry cutter, cut half of the Gruyere cheese and the 4 T. butter into the flour until the mixture is crumbly, with pea-size pieces of butter. Pour the cream over the flour mixture and stir with a fork just until moistened but still lumpy. Fold in the remaining Gruyere cheese with the Parmesan cheese. Divide the dough into 6 equal mounds and place the mounds over the steak and mushroom filling, spacing them evenly, and press the tops to flatten slightly. Brush the tops of the mounds generously with some of the melted butter; set the remaining butter aside. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the biscuits are dark golden brown on top and the filling is bubbling. Remove from the oven. Brush the biscuits with the reserved butter. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.