Blue Cheese Beef Wellingtons Food

THE ULTIMATE BEEF WELLINGTON

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.

BEEF WELLINGTON WITH MIXED MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Working in two batches, pulse the mushrooms in a food processor until finely chopped, 10 to 15 pulses. Heat 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and thyme and cook until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and cook, stirring often toward the end, until dry and starting to form small crumbles, 25 to 28 minutes.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and add the cognac. Carefully return the skillet to the heat (the cognac may ignite) and continue cooking until the mushroom mixture is dry and the alcohol cooks off, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and season with kosher salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, season the beef all over with kosher salt and pepper. Heat the vegetable oil in a separate large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, turning, until browned on all sides (including the ends), about 8 minutes. Transfer the beef to a rack and let cool.
• Overlap 2 sheets of plastic wrap on a work surface to make a large rectangle (about 22 by 30 inches) with a short side in front of you. Arrange the prosciutto slices crosswise on the plastic wrap in overlapping rows to form a rectangle slightly longer than the beef and wide enough to completely wrap it with a slight overlap. (You might not use all of the prosciutto.) Spread the mushroom mixture over the prosciutto, pressing gently. Cut the ties off the beef and brush it all over with the mustard. Place the beef on top of the prosciutto-mushroom mixture, perpendicular to the prosciutto slices. Tightly roll the prosciutto-mushroom mixture around the beef, using the plastic wrap to help you roll. Twist and tie the ends of the plastic wrap to help the roast hold an even shape. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• Roll the puff pastry into a 14-by-15-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface; if using 2 smaller sheets of pastry, press the ends together before rolling out, then trim as needed. Brush the pastry all over with the beaten egg. Remove the plastic wrap from the beef and place the beef on the pastry. Carefully roll the pastry around the beef, overlapping the ends at the seam; trim off any excess pastry, if needed, then pinch the seams together. Turn seam-side down. Fold in the pastry on the two open ends, trimming off any excess. Refrigerate until the pastry is cold and firm, about 1 hour.
• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 425˚ F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Place the beef seam-side down on the baking sheet and brush all over with the beaten egg. Score lines in the pastry with the dull side of a paring knife (don't cut through the pastry) and sprinkle with flaky salt. Bake until the pastry is crisp and dark golden brown and a thermometer inserted into the center of the beef registers 110˚ F for rare to 120˚ F for medium rare, 40 to 50 minutes. Transfer to a rack set on a baking sheet and let rest 15 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle with more flaky salt and chives.

GRILLED BEEF & BLUE CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and blue cheese until blended. Spread over bread slices. Layer 4 of the slices with roast beef and onion; top with remaining bread slices., Brush outsides of sandwiches with oil. In a large skillet, toast sandwiches over medium heat 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

CLASSIC BEEF WELLINGTONS

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°).

MINI BEEF WELLINGTONS WITH MUSHROOMS AND GORGONZOLA

Steps:

• Thaw the pastry sheets at room temperature for 40 minutes or until they're easy to handle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Season the beef with the black pepper.
• Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook for 10 minutes, turning the beef over once during cooking. Remove the beef to a plate. Cover the plate and refrigerate for 1 hour or until the beef is cold.
• Heat the butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, shallots and garlic. Season with the black pepper. Cook until the mushrooms are tender, stirring often. Remove the mushroom mixture from the skillet and let cool.
• Unfold the pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheets into 2 (14-inch) squares. Trim the edges to form 2 (13-inch) squares. Cut each square into 4 squares, making 8 squares in all.
• Place 1 tablespoon Gorgonzola in the center of each pastry square. Divide the mushroom mixture among the pastry squares. Top each with 1 filet mignon. Fold 2 opposite pastry corners over the beef, overlapping slightly, and press to seal. Brush with the egg. Repeat with the remaining pastry corners.
• Place the Wellingtons seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate the Wellingtons and the remaining egg for 1 hour or overnight.
• Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Brush the Wellingtons with the remaining egg. Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the temperature of the beef is 117 degrees F. Serve immediately.

BLUE CHEESE AND CRESS BEEF WELLINGTONS WITH BROILED TOMATOES, PARSLEY-DILL POTATOES AND BROCCOLINI SPEARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
• Put the potatoes in a sauce pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, salt the water and cook the potatoes until tender.
• Meanwhile, pat the meat dry and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Drizzle a little oil into medium skillet and wipe it around with a folded paper towel. Add the beef and brown over medium heat, until it becomes a deep reddish brown, about 3 minutes. Turn the beef and brown for about 2 minutes more. Turn off the heat, then remove the meat to a plate and reserve.
• Sprinkle flour on work surface and roll out dough a little, then cut into 4 pieces. Pile a little watercress on each piece of dough, top with crumbles of cheese and some meat. Wrap the dough around the filling and cut a small vent in the top of each parcel. Cover a baking sheet with parchment, arrange the parcels on the baking sheet and brush them with the egg wash, using a pastry brush. Bake until deep golden, about 12 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the parcels rest.
• While the parcels bake, bring a couple of inches of water, in a deep-sided skillet, to a boil over medium heat for the broccolini.
• Put the broiler on high.
• Arrange the tomatoes on small baking sheet and season them with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss the crouton crumbs with half of the parsley in a small bowl. Sprinkle the crumbs on the tomatoes and drizzle with a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil. When the broiler is hot, put the tomatoes in the center of oven and broil until bubbly and the crumbs are brown, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• Salt the boiling water and add the broccolini spears. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, then drain.
• Drain potatoes and put them back into the hot pot with the butter, the dill and the remaining parsley. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and toss to combine.
• Serve each beef parcel on plates with a broiled tomato half, a few potatoes and a couple of spears of broccolini.

BEEF WELLINGTONS WITH GORGONZOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Pat filets mignons dry and season with salt and pepper. In a shallow roasting pan roast filets in middle of oven 12 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 110°F for rare, and cool (filets will be baked again after being wrapped in pastry). Chill filets, covered, until cold, about 1 hour.
• Thinly slice mushrooms and in a heavy skillet cook in butter with shallot, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste over moderate heat, stirring, until mushrooms are lightly browned. Transfer mushroom mixture to a bowl to cool completely. In a small bowl lightly beat egg to make an egg wash.
• On a lightly floured surface roll out puff pastry sheet into a 14-inch square. Trim edges to form a 13-inch square and cut square into four 61/2-inch squares.
• Put 1 tablespoon Gorgonzola in center of 1 square and top with one fourth mushroom mixture. Top mushroom mixture with a filet mignon, pressing it down gently, and wrap 2 opposite corners of puff pastry over filet, overlapping them. Seal seam with egg wash. Wrap remaining 2 corners of pastry over filet and seal in same manner. Seal any gaps with egg wash and press pastry around filet to enclose completely. Arrange beef Wellington, seam side down, in a non-stick baking pan. Make 3 more beef Wellingtons in same manner. Chill remaining egg wash for brushing on pastry just before baking. Chill beef Wellingtons, loosely covered, at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Brush top and sides of each beef Wellington with some remaining egg wash and bake 20 minutes, or until pastry is golden.
• Make sauce while beef Wellingtons are baking:
• In a saucepan boil demiglace and Madeira 1 minute and keep sauce warm.
• Serve beef Wellingtons with sauce.

BITE-SIZE BEEF WELLINGTONS

Steps:

• For the beef Wellingtons: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the beef dry with a paper towel and season all sides with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a generous grind of black pepper. Quickly sear the beef on all sides until well browned, about 4 minutes total. Transfer to a plate to cool.
• Add the shallot to the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until the mushrooms have softened, begun to brown and released their liquid, about 5 minutes. Raise the heat to medium and cook until the liquid has evaporated, 5 to 10 minutes more. Stir in the parsley, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a generous grind of black pepper. Remove the skillet from the heat and let cool.
• On a work surface, roll 1 sheet of puff pastry into a 14-by-10-inch rectangle. Put teaspoon-sized mounds of the mushroom mixture on the pastry, evenly spacing them in 4 rows of 3. Top each mushroom mound with a piece of beef. Brush the tops of the beef with the Dijon mustard. With a sharp knife, cut the pastry into even squares around the fillings.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the cream and egg and brush all four edges of the puff pastry squares with the egg mixture. Working one at a time, pull 2 opposite corners of pastry up over each beef piece, then fold the remaining 2 corners over the top to make a packet. Seal tightly. Invert and arrange the packets seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet and press them lightly to seal the pastry. Repeat with the remaining puff pastry, mushrooms, beef, and mustard.
• Bake the Wellingtons until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove to a serving platter and let cool at least 10 minutes before serving.
• For the horseradish cream sauce: Meanwhile, stir together the sour cream, light cream, horseradish and pepper in a small bowl. Serve alongside the beef Wellingtons.

BEEF WELLINGTON WITH MUSHROOM AND BOURSIN CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Season roast with salt, pepper, garlic powder and basil to taste.
• On a rack, in an uncovered roasting pan, roast filet in middle of oven for 30 to 45 minutes or longer, until a thermometer registers 120 degrees.
• Allow filet to cool completely and discard larding fat and strings if strings are there.
• Meanwhile, saute the garlic and mushrooms in the olive oil until carmelized.
• Drain mushrooms and garlic and mix with boursin cheese.
• Let mixture chill while waiting for beef to cool. Drink a glass of wine.
• Once beef is cooled completely, spread the chilled boursin-mushroom mixture all around it.
• On a floured surface, roll the 1 lb. of puff pastry into a rectangle large enough to enclose the filet completely, which should be about 20 x 12 inches.
• Invert the coated filet very carefully onto the middle of the dough and fold up the long sides of the dough to enclose the filet.
• With your finger you can make criss-cross grooves in the dough as a decoration.
• Brush the edges of the dough with egg white to seal.
• Repeat with the ends of the dough.
• Transfer the filet, seam down, to a jelly roll pan or a shallow roasting pan and brush with egg wash.
• Chill for 1 hour, but not more than 2 hours. Drink another glass of wine.
• Make sure that oven is preheated to 400 degrees and bake the filet in the middle of the oven for 30 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for 5 to 10 minutes longer, or until a meat thermometer registers 130 degrees for medium-rare.
• Remove from oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes.

BLUE CHEESE BEEF WELLINGTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Pat the meat dry and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Drizzle the oil into medium skillet and wipe it around with a folded paper towel.
• Add the beef and brown over medium heat, until it becomes a deep reddish brown, about 3 minutes.
• Turn the beef and brown for about 2 minutes more (this is for rare to medium-rare, cook a little longer in the skillet if you like your meat cooked more).
• Turn off the heat, then remove the meat to a plate and reserve.
• Sprinkle flour on work surface and roll out dough a little, then cut into 2 pieces.
• Pile a little blue onto the pastry and then top with a piece of meat.
• Wrap the dough around the filling using the eggwash as a glue to keep it stuck together and cut a small vent in the top of each parcel.
• Cover a baking sheet with parchment, arrange the parcels on the baking sheet and brush them again with the egg wash, using a pastry brush.
• Bake until deep golden, about 12 minutes.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the parcels rest.