Peppered Lavender Beef Food

PEPPERED LAVENDER TENDERLOIN ROAST RECIPE:

Steps:

• Trimming the Tenderloin Roast:
• Bring the tenderloin roast to room temperature before cooking.
• Trim the tenderloin of fat and silverskin. Silverskin is a silvery-white connective tissue. It does not dissolve when the tenderloin is cooked, so it needs to be trimmed away. If the silverskin is not trimmed off, it will cause the tenderloin to curl up into the shape of a quarter moon. If you ask, your butcher will do this for you.
• Trussing the Tenderloin Roast:
• Once the tenderloin roast is trimmed, it no longer has any structure and will start to flatten out. As you want the meat as round as possible for even cooking and also for presentation, trussing is the key.
• Using individual pieces of kitchen twine/string to truss the roast. Tie the kitchen string around the tenderloin roast with equal spacing between each truss. Tie the meat firmly, but not too tight. NOTE: I usually have my butcher do this for me.
• Pat the beef dry with paper towels (this is important as surface moisture will interfere with good browning). Lightly oil the outside of the roast.
• In a small spice or coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle, coarsely grind the black peppercorns, white peppercorns, fennel seeds, thyme, and lavender flowers; rub mixture all over the meat. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight (preferably).
• Searing the Tenderloin Roast:
• By browning the meat's proteins and sugars, you are enhancing the meat's flavor even more. The tenderloin roast that I cooked was approximately 5 pounds and would not fit in my fry pan. I used my large cast-iron iron griddle to sear it. It worked great!
• Heat a large cast-iron frying pan over high heat. Without adding any cooking fat, sear the roast on all sides (about 3 rotations, approximately 1 minutes each). Resist the temptation to constantly turn the beef from side to side and you'll be rewarded with a beautifully browned crust. When browned, immediately remove from heat.
• Roasting the Prepared Tenderloin Roast:
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Tenderloin, like other lean cuts of meat, are best roasted at a high heat rather than baked at lower temperatures. Flavor comes from the browning, not from fat slowly melting into the meat.
• Place the seared roast in a large baking pan or roasting pan and bake, uncovered. Roast in oven approximately 20 to 40 minutes (depending on size of your roast) until a meat thermometer registers desired internal temperature (see below). NOTE: Turn tenderloin over halfway through cooking for even browning.
• What constitutes rare and medium-rare cooked meat? To satisfy government home economists, the Beef Council says rare beef means an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. Well, that is OK if you like well-done and dry meat. If you like moist, rosy meat (like I do), rare begins when the internal temperature registers 120 degrees F. and starts to become medium rare at 125 or 130 degrees F. To cook your meat properly, you must purchase and use a good instant-read digital meat thermometer.
• When the tenderloin roast is cooked to your liking, remove from oven, and transfer onto a cutting board. Cover with a tent of aluminum foil and let stand 15 minutes before carving (meat temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees after it is removed from the oven).
• Cut the roast into 1/2-inch slices. Transfer onto a serving platter and serve immediately with any accumulated juices.
• Makes 6 to 8 servings.

INDIAN-SPICED PEPPER STEAK

Steps:

• Gather all your ingredients and place around large work area, near stove.
• Pat meat dry and cut it into 3 or 4 portions, then thinly slice the meat into strips against the grain of the meat.
• Place a small skillet with seeds and peppercorns over medium heat and toast a minute until fragrant. Place in spice mill and grind. Combine with chili powder, garam masala and turmeric. (Ready-ground spices can be substituted but toasted whole seeds and peppercorns that are freshly ground are a little deeper and bigger in flavor.)
• Peel and chop red onion. Seed and thinly slice bell pepper. Thinly slice or chop the fresh chili peppers. Seed if you prefer milder food or leave seeds in for extra spicy. Grate or mince ginger and garlic.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high to high heat. Add oil, 2 turns of the pan, and cook beef in single layer to brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Season with salt and remove to platter. Add more oil, another turn of the pan, and add onions and peppers, toss 3 minutes. Add ginger, garlic and curry leaves and toss a minute more. Add beef back to pan, sprinkle in spice blend, toss to combine with peppers and douse with lemon juice, sherry or vinegar. Garnish beef with cilantro. Serve beef with rice or grilled naan, mango chutney and Mumbai Mule.
• Bring water (with or without aromatics) to a boil. Add rice and salt and cook in boiling water, 12 minutes. Rinse in strainer using HOT water, drain and remove aromatics if using.
• For the simple syrup: Heat the water and sugar in a small saucepan until sugar is melted. Add lavender and let cool. Store in refrigerator.
• For the mule: Run a fresh cut lime over the rim of a copper mug or rocks glass. Place rim of glass upside down into a saucer filled with chili powder to coat the rim. Fill glass with ice. Place vodka, lime juice, turmeric, ginger beer and 1/2 ounce lavender simple syrup into glass. Stir gently and garnish with a lavender sprig and lime wheel.

PEPPERED BEEF TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Coarsely grind the peppercorns in a spice or coffee grinder and transfer to a medium bowl. Add the parsley, mustard, butter and 1 tablespoon salt in a medium bowl and mix together until thoroughly combined. Rub the spiced butter all over the tenderloin, rolling the beef in the portions that fall off to coat completely. The beef can be prepared up to this point, covered, and refrigerated up to 1 day in advance.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place the beef on a rack and set over a baking sheet. Roast until a meat thermometer inserted into the center registers 130 degrees F for medium rare, about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes. Transfer the beef to a cutting board, preferably a meat board with a reservoir to catch the juices, and garnish with the parsley.
• Spray six 4- to 6-ounce ramekins with cooking spray. Stir together the sour cream, Dijon, horseradish and 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Heat the half-and-half in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until it just barely comes to a simmer.
• Meanwhile, put the gelatin in a large bowl, add 3 tablespoons warm water and stir until completely dissolved. Gradually pour in the warm half-and-half while whisking constantly.
• Add a splash of the half-and-half mixture to the sour cream mixture and stir to loosen, then add the sour cream mixture to the large bowl with the half-and-half mixture, whisking gently until thoroughly combined.
• Pour the mixture into the ramekins (the ramekins will not be full) and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours. The panna cottas can be kept refrigerated, covered with plastic wrap, up to 2 days
• When ready to serve, run a thin knife along the edge of each ramekin and invert the pana cottas onto plates. Sprinkle with the chives and serve immediately.

PEPPERED LAVENDER BEEF

Steps:

• Bring the tenderloin roast to room temperature before cooking.
• Trim the tenderloin of fat and silverskin.
• Note: Silverskin is a silvery-white connective tissue. It doesn't dissolve when the tenderloin is cooked, so it needs to be trimmed away. If the silverskin is not trimmed off, it will cause the tenderloin to curl up into the shape of a quarter moon. If you ask, your butcher will do this for you.
• Once the tenderloin roast is trimmed, it no longer has any structure and will start to flatten out. As you want the meat as round as possible for even cooking and also for presentation, trussing is the key.
• Using individual pieces of kitchen twine/string to truss the roast. Tie the kitchen string around the tenderloin roast with equal spacing between each truss. Tie the meat firmly, but not too tight. NOTE: I usually have my butcher do this for me.
• Pat the beef dry with paper towels (this is important as surface moisture will interfere with good browning). Lightly oil outside of the roast.
• In a small spice or coffee grinder, coarsely grind the black peppercorns, white peppercorns, fennel seeds, thyme, and lavender flowers; rub mixture all over the meat. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight (preferably).
• Heat a large cast-iron frying pan over high heat. Without adding any cooking fat, sear the roast on all sides (about 3 rotations, approximately 1 minutes each). NOTE: Resist the temptation to constantly turn the beef from side to side and you'll be rewarded with a beautifully browned crust. When browned, immediately remove from heat.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Tenderloin, like other lean cuts of meat, are best roasted at a high heat rather than baked at lower temperatures. Flavor comes from the browning, not from fat slowly melting into the meat.
• Place the seared roast in a large baking pan or roasting pan and bake, uncovered. Roast in oven approximately 20 to 40 minutes (depending on size of your roast) until a meat thermometer registers desired temperature (see below). NOTE: Turn tenderloin over halfway through cooking for even browning.
• Rare - 120°F
• Medium Rare - 125°F
• Medium - 130°F.
• When the tenderloin roast is cooked to your liking, remove from oven, and transfer onto a cutting board; cover with a tent of aluminum foil and let stand 15 minutes before carving (meat temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees after it is removed from the oven).
• When ready to serve:
• Cut the roast into 1/2-inch slices. Transfer onto a serving platter and serve immediately with any accumulated juices.

PEPPER BEEF

Steps:

• Combine soy sauce, garlic and pepper flakes in medium bowl.
• Cut beef lengthwise in half, then crosswise into thin slices.
• Toss beef with soy sauce mixture and marinade for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
• Heat wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil and heat until hot.
• Add half of beef mixture.
• Stir-fry until beef is barely pink in center.
• Remove.
• Repeat with remaining beef mixture.
• Remove and set aside.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in wok and add bell peppers and onion.
• Reduce heat to medium.
• Stir-fry 6-7 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
• Add stir-fry sauce and wine.
• Stir-fry 2 minutes or until heated through.
• Return beef along with any accumulated juices to wok and heat through.
• Sprinkle with parsley and serve over rice, if desired.

BEEF AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat oil in skillet, brown beef on all sides. Add the garlic and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Add onion, peppers and broth; cover and simmer 20 minutes. , Combine water and cornstarch; stir into broth. Cook and stir until gravy is thick and shiny. Add seasonings. Serve over hot cooked rice.

RED PEPPER MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Crumble pork and turkey over mixture and mix well. Shape into a loaf and place in a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Drizzle with barbecue sauce. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°.

SPICED LAVENDER SEASONING

Steps:

• Toast the cumin seeds and coriander seeds in a dry skillet (I like to use my cast iron skillet for these type of recipes) over medium heat until fragrant; about 2-4 minutes. Lower the temperature if necessary to avoid burning the seeds.
• Transfer the seeds to a spice grinder; add the lavender buds. PULSE until finely ground.
• Now add the summer savory, marjoram or thyme, achiote, black pepper and salt. PULSE.
• Transfer to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place up to 2 months. Note: I made a small batch (1/4 cup) for the test recipe.

PEPPERED BEEF WITH SHANGHAI NOODLES

Steps:

• Freeze sirloin steak for 30 minutes for easier cutting. Cut beef into thin strips.
• Combine marinade ingredients in bowl. Add beef and marinate for 20 minutes.
• Heat wok and add 2 T oil. Add shallot, garlic and ground pepper; stir for 10 seconds. Add beef with marinade and stir for one minute. Add bell peppers and bean sprouts; stir for an additional 2 minutes and set aside.
• Heat remaining 2 T oil over medium heat. Add noodles and stir constantly for one minute. Add sauce ingredients and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add beef and bell pepper mixture; mix well. Stir fry until heated through. Season to taste with more pepper if desired.
• Serve immediately.