Beef Wellington For Two Recipes

Steps:

• In a food processor, place mushrooms, garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme and blend into a fine paste (about 30-60 seconds).
• Transfer to a medium-sized frying pan, being sure to spread it evenly across the bottom of the pan.
• Cook the mushrooms over medium-low heat while stirring frequently. After about 7-10 minutes the mushroom mixture should shrink to half the original volume and begin to form a paste.
• NOTE: The goal here is to cook off the bulk of the water inside the mushrooms. This'll keep the puff pastry from being too mushy at the end.
• At this point, remove the mushroom mixture from the heat and set it aside.
• Preheat oven to 400˚F (200˚C).
• Liberally season the outside of the tenderloin pieces with salt and pepper.
• In another medium-sized frying pan, heat 2 tablespoons of neutral oil over high heat. Once the oil has begun to smoke, quickly sear the tenderloin pieces on both sides (45-60 seconds per-side).
• Once seared, transfer the meat to a plate or cutting board to rest.
• Using a basting brush, generously paint the mustard over the resting pieces of beef, making sure to coat both sides.
• To assemble the Wellingtons, lay out a piece of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Place a piece of ham in the center of the pasty.
• Next, layer about 1 tablespoon of the mushroom mixture on the center of the ham using the back of a spoon to flatten the paste to about the size of the tenderloin pieces.
• Place one of the mustard-coated beef fillet on top of the mushroom mixture, then top the piece of beef with another spoonful of the mushroom mixture, making sure to pat it down flat across the top of the meat.
• Layer with another piece of ham and close the the Wellington by folding the puff pastry over the center of the meat.
• Using your hands, carefully seal the edges of the pastry then transfer SEAM-SIDE DOWN to a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
• Lightly brush the outside of each Wellington with egg wash.
• Using the back of a paring knife, lightly score the tops of the pasty in a checkered pattern, being careful not to pierce the pastry.
• Bake the Wellingtons in a 400˚F (200˚C) oven until the pastry is fully cooked and golden brown (about 20 minutes).
• Allow each Wellington to rest at least 10 minutes before cutting into it.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• For the Duxelles:
• To make the Duxelles: Add mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and thyme to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add butter and olive oil to a large saute pan and set over medium heat. Add the shallot and mushroom mixture and saute for 8 to 10 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper and set aside to cool.
• For the Beef:
• To prepare the beef: Tie the tenderloin in 4 places so it holds its cylindrical shape while cooking. Drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper and sear all over, including the ends, in a hot, heavy-based skillet lightly coated with olive oil - about 2 to 3 minutes. Meanwhile set out your prosciutto on a sheet of plastic wrap (plastic needs to be about a foot and a half in length so you can wrap and tie the roast up in it) on top of your cutting board. Shingle the prosciutto so it forms a rectangle that is big enough to encompass the entire filet of beef. Using a rubber spatula cover evenly with a thin layer of duxelles. Season the surface of the duxelles with salt and pepper and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. When the beef is seared, remove from heat, cut off twine and smear lightly all over with Dijon mustard. Allow to cool slightly, then roll up in the duxelles covered prosciutto using the plastic wrap to tie it up nice and tight. Tuck in the ends of the prosciutto as you roll to completely encompass the beef. Roll it up tightly in plastic wrap and twist the ends to seal it completely and hold it in a nice log shape. Set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to ensure it maintains its shape.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry out to about a 1/4-inch thickness. Depending on the size of your sheets you may have to overlap 2 sheets and press them together. Remove beef from refrigerator and cut off plastic. Set the beef in the center of the pastry and fold over the longer sides, brushing with egg wash to seal. Trim ends if necessary then brush with egg wash and fold over to completely seal the beef - saving ends to use as a decoration on top if desired. Top with coarse sea salt. Place the beef seam side down on a baking sheet.
• Brush the top of the pastry with egg wash then make a couple of slits in the top of the pastry using the tip of a paring knife ¿ this creates vents that will allow the steam to escape when cooking. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until pastry is golden brown and beef registers 125 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from oven and rest before cutting into thick slices. Garnish with minced chives, and serve with Green Peppercorn Sauce, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Fresh Herbs and Garlic, and Warm Wilted Winter Greens.
• Add olive oil to pan after removing beef. Add shallots, garlic, and thyme; saute for 1 to 2 minutes, then, off heat, add brandy and flambe using a long kitchen match. After flame dies down, return to the heat, add stock and reduce by about half. Strain out solids, then add 2 cups cream and mustard. Reduce by half again, then shut off heat and add green peppercorns.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F and place a baking sheet inside to heat.
• Add potatoes, rosemary, sage, thyme, and garlic to a medium bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Remove sheet pan from oven, lightly coat with olive oil, and pour potatoes onto pan. Place potatoes in oven and reduce heat to 425 degrees F. Roast for 20 minutes, or until crispy on outside and tender on inside.
• Cook honey and balsamic together over medium-high heat in a large saute pan, about 5 minutes. Toast walnuts in a small skillet; set aside to cool.
• Pile greens on a platter. Stir mustard into balsamic-honey dressing, then whisk in about 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil; pour over greens. Season greens with salt and pepper and garnish with walnuts, pomegranate seeds, shavings of Parmesan, and shallot.

Steps:

• Tie tenderloin with kitchen twine in 1-inch increments to form an even piece, so it will hold its shape during cooking. (Your butcher can do this for you.)
• Heat a large cast-iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Season beef with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sear tenderloin until well browned on all surfaces, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side, including ends.
• Transfer tenderloin to a cutting board with a drainage well; let rest until cool. Cut and remove the kitchen twine, and chill tenderloin until ready to assemble and beef is cold, at least 1 hour or overnight.
• In another large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook until it softens, about 4 minutes. Add mushrooms; season with remaining teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and liquid is released and evaporates, 8 to 10 minutes. Add sherry; cook until mixture is dry, about 4 minutes more. Cool at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a day.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a rectangle 1/4 inch thick and big enough to enclose the beef. If using store-bought pastry, it may be necessary to lay out 2 pieces, overlapping, and roll them out into one piece. Spread the top of the tenderloin evenly with half the mousse, and spread half of the mushrooms evenly over the top.
• Carefully invert coated tenderloin into middle of puff pastry, mushroom-side down. Spread another layer of mousse on top and sides of tenderloin. Spread remaining mushrooms over top. Fold up long sides of dough to enclose tenderloin, brushing edges with beaten egg to seal. Trim ends if necessary, then fold up, and seal. Carefully transfer tenderloin, seam side down, to a baking sheet, and chill at least 2 hours or overnight. Roll out any extra dough, cut into holly or other shapes if desired, and chill on baking sheet with beef.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place a baking sheet on the middle rack in the oven until hot, about 15 minutes. Decorate top of pastry with shaped cutouts if desired; brush with beaten egg. Make 2 to 3 slits in pastry for venting steam. Sprinkle with sea or coarse salt if desired. Carefully transfer beef Wellington to preheated baking sheet. Bake until pastry is golden brown and beef registers 120 degrees to 130 degrees on an instant-read thermometer for rare, 130 degrees to 135 degrees for medium rare, 35 to 50 minutes. Cover pastry with foil if it gets too brown while cooking. Let rest on a cutting board 10 minutes before slicing.

Steps:

• Sprinkle steaks with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. In a large skillet, brown steaks in 1 tablespoon oil for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove from skillet and refrigerate until chilled., In the same skillet, saute mushrooms and onion in remaining oil until tender. Stir in remaining salt and pepper; cool to room temperature., Preheat oven to 425°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each puff pastry sheet into a 14x9-1/2-in. rectangle. Cut into two 7-in. squares (use scraps to make decorative cutouts if desired). Place a steak in the center of each square; top with mushroom mixture. Lightly brush pastry edges with water. Bring opposite corners of pastry over steak; pinch seams to seal tightly., Place in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Cut four small slits in top of pastry. Arrange cutouts over top if desired. Brush with egg., Bake 25-30 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°).

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place beef in a small baking dish, and spread with 2 tablespoons softened butter. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until browned. Remove from pan, and allow to cool completely. Reserve pan juices.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion and mushrooms in butter for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool.
• Mix together pate and 2 tablespoons softened butter, and season with salt and pepper. Spread pate over beef. Top with onion and mushroom mixture.
• Roll out the puff pastry dough, and place beef in the center. Fold up, and seal all the edges, making sure the seams are not too thick. Place beef in a 9x13 inch baking dish, cut a few slits in the top of the dough, and brush with egg yolk.
• Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 10 to 15 more minutes, or until pastry is a rich, golden brown. Set aside, and keep warm.
• Place all reserved juices in a small saucepan over high heat. Stir in beef stock and red wine; boil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until slightly reduced. Strain, and serve with beef.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7.
• Sit the 1kg beef fillet on a roasting tray, brush with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with pepper, then roast for 15 mins for medium-rare or 20 mins for medium. When the beef is cooked to your liking, remove from the oven to cool, then chill in the fridge for about 20 mins.
• While the beef is cooling, chop 250g chestnut (and wild, if you like) mushrooms as finely as possible so they have the texture of coarse breadcrumbs. You can use a food processor to do this, but make sure you pulse-chop the mushrooms so they don't become a slurry.
• Heat 2 tbsp of the olive oil and 50g butter in a large pan and fry the mushrooms on a medium heat, with 1 large sprig fresh thyme, for about 10 mins stirring often, until you have a softened mixture.
• Season the mushroom mixture, pour over 100ml dry white wine and cook for about 10 mins until all the wine has been absorbed. The mixture should hold its shape when stirred.
• Remove the mushroom duxelle from the pan to cool and discard the thyme.
• Overlap two pieces of cling film over a large chopping board. Lay 12 slices prosciutto on the cling film, slightly overlapping, in a double row.
• Spread half the duxelles over the prosciutto, then sit the fillet on it and spread the remaining duxelles over.
• Use the cling film's edges to draw the prosciutto around the fillet, then roll it into a sausage shape, twisting the ends of cling film to tighten it as you go.
• Chill the fillet while you roll out the pastry.
• Dust your work surface with a little flour. Roll out a third of the 500g pack of puff pastry to a 18 x 30cm strip and place on a non-stick baking sheet.
• Roll out the remainder of the 500g pack of puff pastry to about 28 x 36cm.
• Unravel the fillet from the cling film and sit it in the centre of the smaller strip of pastry.
• Beat the 2 egg yolks with 1 tsp water and brush the pastry's edges, and the top and sides of the wrapped fillet.
• Using a rolling pin, carefully lift and drape the larger piece of pastry over the fillet, pressing well into the sides.
• Trim the joins to about a 4cm rim. Seal the rim with the edge of a fork or spoon handle.
• Glaze all over with more egg yolk and, using the back of a knife, mark the beef Wellington with long diagonal lines taking care not to cut into the pastry.
• Chill for at least 30 mins and up to 24 hrs. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6.
• Brush the Wellington with a little more egg yolk and cook until golden and crisp - 20-25 mins for medium-rare beef, 30 mins for medium. Allow to stand for 10 mins before serving in thick slices.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
• Place beef in a small baking dish, and spread each filet with 1 teaspoon softened butter. Bake for 10 minutes, or until browned. Remove from pan, and allow to cool completely.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion and mushrooms in butter for 5 minutes. Add red wine and reduce for 2 minute Remove from heat, and let cool.
• Roll out the puff pastry dough, cut in thirds and place beef in the center. Mix together pate and 1 tablespoon softened butter, and season with salt and pepper. Spread pate over beef. Top with onion and mushroom mixture.
• Fold up, and seal all the edges, making sure the seams are not too thick. Reserve the final third of pastry for another use. (cut in half and fill with chocolate chips and raspberry jam and bake along side for an easy dessert).
• Place beef in a 9x9 inch baking dish, cut a few slits in the top of the dough, and brush with melted butter.
• Bake at 450 degrees F for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 425 degrees F for 10 more minutes, or until pastry is a rich, golden brown.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Season both sides of each filet with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper.
• Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the filets and sear for 1 minute on each side for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate to cool completely.
• Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 14-inch square, and cut into 4 (7-inch) squares.
• Spread one-quarter of the mushroom duxelles on top of each filet and top each with 1 slice of the pate, pressing to flatten. Place one filet, mushroom side down, in the center of a puff pastry square. Using a pastry brush or your finger, paint the inside edges of the pastry with egg wash. Fold the pastry over the filet as though wrapping a package and press the edges to seal. Place the packages seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the egg wash over the tops and sides of each package and bake until the pastry is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer registers 140 degrees F for medium-rare, about 20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
• Place the Beef Wellingtons in the center of 4 large plates, and accompany with the sauce and vegetables of choice.
• Heat the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms, salt, and white pepper, reduce the heat to medium, and cook, stirring, until all the liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms begin to caramelize, about 12 minutes. Add the wine and cook, stirring to deglaze the pan, until all the liquid has evaporated. Remove from the heat and let cool before using.

Steps:

• Place mushrooms in the bowl of a food processor. Blend to a very fine consistency.
• Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add mushrooms and 1 pinch salt and pepper. Cook until moisture evaporates and mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Lightly season strip steak with salt and pepper. Heat a frying pan over high heat and add olive oil. Sear strip lightly on all sides to seal in juices, 5 to 7 minutes total, making sure not to overcook. Remove and baste with English mustard.
• Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap and place prosciutto on top in 2 rows of 4, overlapping them. Spread mushrooms evenly on top. Place steak in the center and roll prosciutto tightly around it. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, twisting the ends. Chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Roll out pastry sheet; unwrap steak and place in the center. Mix egg and water in a bowl to make egg wash. Apply egg wash to the edges of the pastry using a pastry brush. Fold pastry tightly around steak. Chill for 5 minutes.
• Brush egg wash over the pastry and sprinkle sea salt on top. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until pastry turns golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and let stand for 5 minutes before slicing into 1-inch pieces.

Steps:

• Place all marinade ingredients (except salt, vermouth and cognac) in a small saucepan.
• Cook slowly until vegetables are tender.
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• Season filets with salt; place in ziplock bag; add marinade mixture; pour on the wine and cognac.
• Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours.
• Remove from marinade.
• Pat dry.
• Heat 1 T oil in a heavy duty saute pan over high heat.
• Add filet and sear briefly on all sides.
• Return to refrigerator until ready to assemble the Wellingtons.
• Reserve marinade for sauce.
• Mince mushrooms in food processor until very small.
• In the corner of a clean kitchen towel, twist the mushrooms a handful at a time to extract as much of the mushroom juices as possible.
• I usually dampen the towel first so it won't absorb the juices of the mushrooms.
• Reserve the juices for the sauce.
• Saute mushrooms and shallots in butter 7 or 8 minutes or so until the mushroom pieces separate from each other and begin to look dry.
• Add the madeira and boil until liquid has evaporated.
• Season to taste and stir in the pate or foie gras.
• Simmer marinade ingredients and mushroom juices with 2 cups beef broth and 1 T tomato paste for 1 hour or so until reduced to 2 cups.
• Degrease, season and thicken with 2 Tbs.
• cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup Madeira.
• All of these steps can be prepared well in advance and even frozen in separate containers.
• Simply thaw everything before proceeding.
• I usually get two Wellingtons out of each sheet of puff pastry.
• It depends on the size of the steaks.
• Roll out each sheet a little to accomodate the size of the filet.
• Cut sheet in half.
• Lay one sheet of Prosciutto on each half.
• Place a spoonful of mushrooms on top; place a filet on top of mushrooms; spoon a little more mushrooms on top of filet; wrap filet in pastry.
• Pinch to seal.
• If you have any pastry left over, be creative and decorate the Wellingtons to fit the occasion.
• Place on parchment lined cookie sheet.
• Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until ready to bake.
• Preheat oven to 375^F.
• Egg wash the tops of the Wellingtons.
• Bake until golden brown.
• About 25 minutes.
• Use an instant read thermometer to insure that the meat is done to your liking.
• If Wellingtons start to brown too much before the meat is ready, cover with foil and cook until it is done.
• Serve with the Madeira sauce spooned on top.