Seared Beef With Wild Mushrooms Balsamic Food

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.

BEEF TENDERLOIN FILET WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE

Steps:

• For the beef tenderloin: Preheat a saute pan or cast-iron skillet over high heat. Lightly oil the steaks. Place the steaks in the very hot pan and get a good sear on both sides. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side for medium-rare. Remove the steak from the pan and let rest in a warm spot for 7 to 8 minutes.
• For the mushroom sauce: Drain the fat from the pan. Add the shallots, bring the pan to a medium heat and season with salt. Cook the shallots for 3 to 4 minutes, and then add in the garlic. Cook the garlic and shallots together for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the mushrooms, season with salt and stir to coat with the oil. Cook the mushrooms until they look soft and wilted, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add the veal demi-glace. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes; the consistency should be almost as thick as gravy. If it is still thin, let it simmer for another couple of minutes until it does thicken.
• Check the consistency by coating a spoon with the sauce, turn the spoon over and draw a line down the middle of the spoon with your finger. If your finger leaves a track down the spoon without moving, then it is ready! Taste and adjust the salt, if needed.
• For the twice-baked potato mash and green beans: Add the potatoes to a pot of salted water. Turn the heat to medium and cook until the potatoes are fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain the potatoes well and pass through a food mill or ricer. Stir in the sour cream and heavy cream. Fold in the broccoli and Cheddar. Taste and season with salt as needed.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook until just tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from the water and immediately add to a salted ice bath. Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add green beans and saute quickly until heated through.
• Serve the filets with the mushroom sauce on top and the twice-baked potato mash and green beans on the side.

SEARED BEEF WITH WILD MUSHROOMS & BALSAMIC

Steps:

• Rub the beef with 1 tbsp oil, rosemary and garlic, then leave in the fridge for at least 1 hr, or up to 24 hrs. Make sure the beef returns to room temperature before you cook it.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Heat a non-stick, ovenproof frying pan or roasting tin until very hot. Rub most of the garlic and rosemary from the beef, season with black pepper and flaky salt, then sear on all sides until dark brown and almost crusted - about 5 mins in total. Transfer the pan to the oven, then roast the beef for 10 mins for mediumrare. Leave to rest for a good 15 mins and keep any juices.
• While the meat rests, sauté the mushrooms. Heat 1 tbsp butter and the remaining oil in a large frying pan, then tip in the mushrooms with plenty of seasoning. Fry until golden and just softened, then tip into a bowl.
• Add the stock to the mushroom pan, then reduce by two-thirds. Tip in the mushrooms and balsamic, then add the remaining butter and let it melt. Tip in any meat juices, then season to taste and keep warm. Thickly slice the beef and spoon over the sauce. Serve with mash and spinach.

BRAISED BEEF WITH RED ONIONS & WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Pat the beef dry with kitchen paper and season both sides. Thinly slice the onions. Pour 600ml boiling water over the dried mushrooms. Soak for 30 mins, then drain, reserving the juices.
• Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a large, flameproof casserole, then add the meat and fry on both sides until browned. you may need to do this in batches. Remove the meat from the pan, pour in the remaining oil, then add the onions and fry for 10 mins until softened and lightly browned. Return the meat to the pan, sprinkle in the flour and cook for 1 min.
• Add the port, mushroom liquid and soaked mushrooms. Bring to the boil, season, then cover tightly and cook in the oven for 1½-2 hrs until the meat is tender. Check after 1 hr and give it a stir. If the sauce looks like it's getting too thick, add a splash of boiling water.
• Taste and add more seasoning if necessary, then add the chestnut mushrooms and cook for a further 10 mins.