Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Shallots
3/4 pound shallots, halved lengthwise and peeled
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
3 cups beef broth
3/4 cup port wine
1 1/2 teaspoons tomato paste
2 pounds beef tenderloin roast, trimmed
1 teaspoon dried thyme
3 slices bacon, diced
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
4 sprigs watercress, for garnish
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In 9 inch pie pan,
toss shallots with oil to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Roast
until shallots are deep brown and very tender, stirring
occasionally, about 30 minutes.
2. In a large saucepan, combine beef broth and port. Bring to a
boil. Cook over high heat until the volume is reduced by half, about
30 minutes. Whisk in tomato paste. Set aside.
3. Pat beef dry; sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper. In a large
roasting pan, set over medium heat on the stove top, saute bacon
until golden. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels.
Add beef to pan; brown on all sides over medium high heat, about 7
minutes.
4. Transfer pan to oven. Roast beef until meat thermometer inserted
into center registers 125 degrees F for medium rare, about 25
minutes. Transfer beef to platter. Tent loosely with foil.
5. Spoon fat off top of pan drippings in roasting pan. Place pan
over high heat on stove top. Add broth mixture, and bring to boil;
stir to scrape up any browned bits. Transfer to a medium saucepan,
and bring to simmer. Mix 1 1/2 tablespoon butter and flour in small
bowl to form smooth paste; whisk into broth mixture, and simmer
until sauce thickens. Whisk in remaining butter. Stir in roasted
shallots and reserved bacon. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Cut beef into 1/2 inch thick slices. Spoon some sauce over, and
garnish with watercress.
Serves 6. |