An impressive main dish for entertaining that is surprisingly easy to put together.
Directions for: Beef Wellington
Ingredients
2 lb(s) center-cut beef tenderloin, tied by your butcher
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb(s) button mushrooms
4 Tbsp butter
1 shallot, minced
2 Tbsp heavy cream
2 Tbsp dried breadcrumbs
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp prepared horseradish
1 large egg
Flour, for dusting
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3oz package), thawed
flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Directions
1. Sprinkle the tenderloin generously on all sides with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sear the beef on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to a baking sheet and cool completely, about 20 minutes.
2. Add half of the mushrooms to a food processor and pulse until they are very finely chopped. Remove the finely chopped mushrooms to a bowl and continue with the other half of the mushrooms. Reserve.
3. Heat the butter and remaining tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. once melted and foaming, add the shallots and sweat until fully softened, about 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the pan and saute until they release all their moisture and then dry, about 10 minutes. Add the heavy cream and simmer until thick, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the breadcrumbs and parsley. Remove the mushrooms to a small bowl, cool completely and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. the mushrooms should now look like a paste.
4. Combine the Dijon and horseradish in a small bowl. once the meat is cool to the touch, snip off the butcher's twine and discard, and then spread the mustard and horseradish mixture all over the beef. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour.
5. Adjust a rack to the center of the oven and preheat to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Crack the egg into a small bowl and beat until smooth. Dust the work area lightly with flour. Roll out the puff pastry with a rolling pin so it's 4 inches longer than the tenderloin and 6 to 7 inches wider. Brush a 3-inch edge of the pastry with the beaten egg. Spread and pat the mushroom mixture all over the top and sides of the beef. Lay the beef mushroom-side down in the center of the pastry and pat the remaining mushrooms onto the exposed side. Tuck the 2 ends of the pastry into the beef and then fold up the other sides. Place the beef seam-side down on the baking sheet. Brush all over with the egg wash. Cut 3 slits on the top of the roast and sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt.
7. Roast until a thermometer inserted into the beef reads 120F, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and rest for 20 minutes before slicing into 1-inch-thick pieces. the temperature will rise to 125F, leaving you with a nice ruby red medium rare.
See more: Pastry, Beef, Dinner