Steak au Poivre | Peppercorn and Mushroom Steak

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons peppercorns (whole)
• 4 steaks (fillet, lean, trimmed, or sirloin steak if you prefer, at room temperature (about 1-1/2 inch thick))
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for frying
• 6 ounces mushrooms (small, washed and sliced thinly)
• 2 tablespoons brandy
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 1/2 beef stock cube ( dissolved in 1/2 cup boiling water)
• 1 teaspoon tarragon (chopped fresh, or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon corn flour ( mixed with a little water)
• salt to taste