Roasted Elk Tenderloin with Bacon Wrapped Salsify, Jerusalem Artichokes, and Creamy Wild Mushroom Sauce

• 4 cups water
• 4 cups whole milk
• 2 bay leaves
• 10 black peppercorns
• 16 stalks salsify, peeled
• 16 slices smoked bacon
• 1/4 pound (1 stick) butter, divided
• 2 pounds elk tenderloin, completely cleaned
• 6 Jerusalem artichokes, peeled sliced into 1/8-inch rounds
• 1 -ounce diced shallots
• 4 ounces baby arugula
• Mushroom Sauce, recipe follows
• Chopped chives, for garnish

1. In a large saucepan or stockpot, combine 4 cups water with the milk, bay leaves, and peppercorns.
2. Bring to a simmer and then poach peeled salsify; cook just until the salsify is soft, but not mushy.
3. Remove the salsify from the poaching liquid, and refrigerate.
4. Once the salsify is cooled, wrap 1 slice of bacon around each stalk of salsify.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
6. Roast the bacon wrapped salsify in the oven until the bacon browns slightly, about 10 to 15 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, in a medium ovenproof skillet, melt 1/2 stick butter over medium-high heat.
8. Add elk tenderloin to hot pan and sear until browned on both sides, and then transfer pan to oven and roast until cooked to desired doneness.
9. (Be careful, as elk tenderloin cooks quickly.)
10. In a medium skillet, melt 1/2 stick butter over medium-high heat.
11. Add Jerusalem artichokes and saute until the edges turn slightly brown.
12. Then add shallots and saute for 1 minute more.
13. Add arugula and remove from heat.
14. In the center of the plate, make a circle of wild mushroom sauce.
15. Place the salsify on top of the sauce, and the artichoke-arugula mixture on top of the salsify.
16. Slice the elk tenderloin and place on top of the artichoke-arugula mixture.
17. Garnish with chives.
18. 1/4 pound (1 stick) butter
19. 1 pound mixed wild mushrooms, cleaned
20. 3 ounces diced shallots
21. 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
22. 2 cups heavy cream
23. 2 tablespoons aged sherry vinegar
24. 2 ounces foie gras, optional
25. Salt and pepper
26. Melt 1 stick butter in a large skillet over high heat.
27. Add mushrooms and saute over high heat until browned.
28. When mushrooms have browned, add 3 ounces diced shallots and the thyme.
29. Cook mixture for 2 minutes more and then add cream.
30. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the cream has reduced by half.
31. Next, pour mixture into blender*, add sherry vinegar and foie gras, if using, and blend until smooth.
32. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
33. * When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes.
34. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway.
35. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid.
36. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions.
37. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

water, milk, bay leaves, black, stalks, bacon, butter, tenderloin, artichokes, shallots, baby arugula, mushroom sauce, chives

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/roasted-elk-tenderloin-bacon-wrapped-salsify-jerusalem-artichokes-creamy-wild-mushroom-sauce-recipe.html (may not work)