Portobello 'Steaks' with Bearnaise Sauce

Ingredients

• ¼ cup dry white wine
• 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
• ¼ cup finely chopped shallots (2 small)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon or 1 tsp dried
• ½ tsp whole black peppercorns, crushed
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• ⅔ cup buttermilk
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp salt
• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper
• 12 medium portobello mushroom caps (1½ lbs total)
• 8 cups watercress (about 4 bunches), large stems trimmed
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup slivered red onion

Directions

1. Make sauce: in small saucepan, combine wine, vinegar, shallots, tarragon and peppercorns and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, 2 to 4 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. In medium bowl, whisk together egg and cornstarch, then gradually whisk in buttermilk until mixture is smooth.
5. Add to shallot mixture and return saucepan to medium heat.
6. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture simmers and thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
7. Whisk in butter, mustard and salt.
8. To keep sauce warm, place saucepan in larger pan of barely simmering water.
9. Preheat broiler.
10. In small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, salt and pepper.
11. Using small spoon, scrape away black gills inside mushroom caps.
12. Brush half the balsamic mixture over both sides of caps.
13. Place mushrooms, cavity-side down, on baking sheet or broiler pan and broil until tender and browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
14. Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine watercress, tomatoes and onion.
15. Add remaining balsamic mixture and toss to coat.
16. Divide salad among plates and top each with 3 portobello "steaks," cavity-side up.
17. Spoon dollop of bearnaise sauce onto each and serve at once.