Roast Tenderloin of Beef with Cornichon Tarragon Sauce
- 1 (4-pound) beef tenderloin roast, trimmed and tied
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups dry white wine
- 4 medium shallots, minced
- 4 teaspoons dried tarragon
- 16 cornichons (French pickles) or dill gherkins, julienned
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 4 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon leaves
- Green Beans with Red Onion and Mustard Vinaigrette, recipe follows
- Roasted cauliflower florets, as needed
- Roasted halved new potatoes (tossed with olive oil and chopped rosemary leaves), as needed
- Roasted baby carrots (tossed with butter and chopped chives), as needed
- Roasted cherry or grape tomatoes, as needed
- Make the Beef and Sauce: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. and season the tenderloin with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until almost smoking.
- Add the roast and cook, turning often, until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the center registers 130 degrees F for medium rare.
- Transfer the roast to a warmed platter and cover loosely with foil.
- Place the roasting skillet on top of the stove, being careful not to touch the hot handle with bare hands.
- Add the wine, shallots, and dried tarragon and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Cook rapidly, stirring to pick up any browned bits in the bottom of the skillet, until reduced to 1/4 cup.
- Add the cornichons, cream and any meat juices that have accumulated on the platter.
- Simmer for 3 minutes longer.
- Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the butter, mustard, fresh tarragon, and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Cut the beef crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices.
- Decoratively arrange the beef, sauce, and garnish on a large platter.
- Serve hot or at room temperature.
- Note: A special occasion dish calls for a special occasion wine.
- Match your succulent roast tenderloin with the best medium/full-bodied red in the house.
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons mustard seeds
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook mustard seeds, stirring, until they pop and are 1 shade darker, about 2 minutes.
- Transfer oil with seeds to a large bowl.
- Simmer vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan, stirring, until sugar is dissolved, then cool 5 minutes.
- Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in cleaned skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook onion, stirring, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in vinegar, then add to mustard oil in large bowl.
- Have ready a large bowl of ice and cold water.
- Cook beans in a pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
- Drain in a colander and plunge into ice water to stop cooking, then drain well.
- Toss beans with vinaigrette and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve at room temperature or chilled.
- Yield: 8 servings
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Ease of Preparation: Easy
beef tenderloin, kosher salt, vegetable oil, white wine, shallots, tarragon, cornichons, heavy cream, unsalted butter, mustard, tarragon, green beans, cauliflower, potatoes, baby carrots, grape tomatoes
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/roast-tenderloin-of-beef-with-cornichon-tarragon-sauce-recipe.html (may not work)