Beef Tenderloin with Port Sauce
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INGREDIENTS 1/2 of a 17-1/4-ounce package frozen puff pastry, thawed (1 sheet)
1 beaten egg white
1 (3-pound) beef tenderloin
1-1/2 cups beef broth
3/4 cup tawny port or dry red wine
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots or onion
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons all-purpose flourUnfold puff pastry. On a lightly floured surface, roll puff pastry to eliminate crease. With a small cookie cutter or hors d'oeuvre cutter, cut 16 small shapes out of the puff pastry. Transfer pastry shapes to an ungreased baking sheet. Brush shapes with egg white. Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until golden brown and flaky. Cool. (If desired, tightly cover and store at room temperature for up to 12 hours.)
If tenderloin is long and thin, fold narrow ends under and tie. If tenderloin is flat and wide, tie crosswise in 2 or 3 places to form a rounder shape. (The tenderloin should be about 8 x 4-1/2-inch after tying). Place on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert meat thermometer.
Roast tenderloin, uncovered, in a 425 degree oven about 45 minutes or until desired doneness (140 degrees for medium rare). Let stand, covered, for about 10 minutes before slicing. (Meat temperature should rise about 5 degrees while standing).
Meanwhile, for the Port Sauce - In a medium saucepan combine the beef broth, tawny port or red wine, shallot or onion, dried rosemary and bay leaf. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes..(You should have about 1-3/4 cups sauce after simmering). Discard the bay leaf.
In a small mixing bowl stir together the butter and flour. Stir into the wine mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
To serve, place tenderloin pieces on dinner plates. Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of the port sauce over each. Garnish each serving with 2 pastry puffs.
Makes 8 servings
TO MAKE SAUCE AHEAD - Prepare and simmer sauce as directed above, but do not add butter/flour mixture. Cool. Transfer to a storage container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Before serving, return to a medium saucepan and heat through. Continue by stirring together the butter and flour and thickening the sauce as directed above.