Alton Browns Center Cut Beef Tenderloin Food

ALTON BROWN'S CENTER CUT BEEF TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Preheat a cast iron grill pan or skillet over high heat.
• Rub the roast with the oil, then season roast with salt, pepper, and cumin.
• Place the roast into the pan and sear for 8-10 minutes turning until all sides are browned.
• Remove the roast from the pan to a plate. Wrap in foil. Allow the roast to rest for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
• Stick a probe thermometer into the center of the roast.
• Place the roast back into the cast iron pan. Close the door and attach the probe to the base. Set an alarm to go off at 135 degrees. This should take between 20 to 30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven. Wrap the roast in foil and allow at least 15 minutes for it to rest before carving.

BEEF TENDERLOIN IN SALT CRUST

Steps:

• Place the flour, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites and water and add to the dry ingredients along with 2 tablespoons of the herbs. Combine with a potato masher until the mixture begins to come together. Then knead with your hands for 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large zip-top bag, seal, and let stand at room temperature for 4 hours, or up to 24 hours.
• Transfer dough to a floured surface and roll out to 3/16-inch thickness, approximately a 24 by 18-inch rectangle. Trim away extra dough, if necessary. Sprinkle the remaining herbs on the center section of the dough and gently press down.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In order to achieve uniform cooking, fold over slender tail end of tenderloin and tie with kitchen twine. Set a large electric griddle at its highest setting; brush the tenderloin with the olive oil and sear on all sides until well browned, approximately 10 minutes. Rest the meat for at least 5 minutes or until it is cool to the touch so as not to melt the dough.
• Place the tenderloin in the center of the dough. Fold top part of dough over, flipping back about 1-inch of dough onto itself. Repeat with the bottom half of the dough. Press together the 2 flaps of dough and seal. Make sure the dough is not too tight around the tenderloin. At the ends of the tenderloin, press together dough to form a seal and cut away any excess. Transfer to a sheet pan, place in the oven and roast to an internal temperature of 125 degrees F, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. The tenderloin will continue to cook 10 to 15 degrees more. Cut salt crust at 1 end and extract meat by pulling out of dough tube. Slice and serve immediately.

STUFFED TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Slice roast open lengthwise in middle to create a pocket, being careful to not slice all the way through.
• Salt and pepper the meat on all sides.
• Heat a grill pan over high heat and brush roast with olive oil. Sear the roast on all sides. Remove from the heat, tent with foil and allow to rest for 15 minutes.
• After the meat has rested, stuff pocket with the blue cheese. Tie the whole thing together with kitchen string. Return the tied meat to the grill pan, place into the oven and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 125 degrees F, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, wrap in aluminum foil and allow to rest 15 minutes before serving.

GOOD EATS BEEF TENDERLOIN IN SALT CRUST (ALTON BROWN 2004)

Steps:

• Reserve half of the herbs for later. Mix the other half of herbs and all the other dry goods together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the egg whites/water mixture.
• Use a potato masher (unless you have a very strong KitchenAid) and begin to mash and mix the dough. It will be very tough and crumbly. Scrape down the sides and knead to a solid mass (it will still be crumbly).
• Place dough (break up if needed) into a sturdy ziplock freezer bag. Seal up and leave on counter for 4-24 hours (this allows the egg whites to soak up the dough).
• About 1 hr before dough is ready: In order to achieve uniform cooking, fold over slender tail end of tenderloin and tie with kitchen twine. Set a large electric griddle at its highest setting; brush the tenderloin with the olive oil and sear on all sides until well browned, approximately 10 minutes. Rest the meat for at least 5 minutes or until it is cool to the touch so as not to melt the dough.
• Preheat oven to 400°F Transfer dough to a floured surface and roll out to 3/16-inch thickness, approximately a 24 by 18-inch rectangle. Trim away extra dough, if necessary. Sprinkle the remaining herbs on the center section of the dough and gently press down.
• Place meat in the middle of the dough. Gently take one side and fold over meat. Fold back a flap. Bring up the other end and crimp together with the flap. Fold short ends over and crimp to seal. You do not want it tight around the meat, but you do want it sealed well.
• Move the roast onto a baking sheet. Insert a meat thermometer into center of roast. Set to 125°F Baking time is approximately 25-30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. The tenderloin will continue to cook 10 to 15 degrees more. Cut salt crust at 1 end and extract meat by pulling out of dough tube using tongs. Slice and serve immediately. (Alton says to toss the casing in the yard as it's good for wildlife).