Ready to have some guests over and get all “fancy-pants” on them?

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make your own Beef Wellington. Using the ever-popular, to-die-for Filet Mignon, no one will ever invite you over for dinner again . . . they’ll all be coming to YOUR house from now on!

Individual Beef Wellington

(Serves Four)

4 oz. Filet Mignon

2 Tbsp. English Mustard

8 oz. Mushrooms (any sort)

1 Shallot, minced

¼ tsp. Chopped Thyme

8 slices Proscuitto or other thinly sliced ham

4 six inch square pieces of puff pastry

1 Egg

3 Tbsp. Water

Salt and Pepper

Season the filet with salt and pepper and sear in a heavy bottomed pan over high heat until nicely browned on all sides, about three minutes total.  Combine the thyme, shallot and mushrooms in a blender and process until finely minced.  Cook the mushrooms in a dry pan until all of the moisture has been released.  Lay two pieces of proscuitto overlapping on a piece of plastic wrap.  Spread one quarter of the mushroom mixture over the ham. 

Brush one of the cooked filets with the mustard and place in the center of the ham.  Fold the ham and mushrooms over the filet ensure it is completely covered and wrap tightly with the plastic wrap refrigerate for twenty minutes.  Repeat this step with all three filets.  Gently beat the egg with the water and set aside.  Lay the pastry out flat and remove the filet from the plastic wrap and place in the center of the pastry.  Brush the edges of the pasty with the egg wash and seal completely.  Stretch the puff pastry a little if you need to, to completely cover the filet.  Refrigerate another twenty minutes.  Brush the outside of the pastry with egg wash and bake in a 350 degree oven until the pastry is nicely puffed and browned.

A filet mignon is typically what people consider the most tender cut of steak. And I agree.

Here’s a wonderful recipe to dress up that silky smooth filet with amazingly decadent blue cheese flan.

Magnifico! 

Grilled Filet Mignon with Blue Cheese Flan

(Serves four)

4 6oz. Filet Mignon

1 Cup Heavy Cream

4 oz. Blue Cheese

1 Egg + 2 yolks

Salt and Pepper

Bring the cream to a boil and pour into a blender on top of the blue cheese.  With the blender running, add the egg and yolks and mix until smooth.  Season to taste.  Pour the mixture evenly into four 4 oz. oven safe ramekins that have been oil or sprayed with pan spray on the inside and bake in a water bath at 350 degrees for twenty minutes or until set.  Remove from oven and water bath, the flan can either be served warm or cold, they can also be cooked ahead of time and reheated.  To plate, run a paring knife between the flan and the ramekin and turn out onto a plate.  If it sticks, tap the edge of the ramekin on the plate gently until it releases.

Season the Filet on both sides with salt and pepper and grill to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium.

I love, love finding new ways to cook a steak.

This one is quite ingenious.

Like tea? Ever thought of using it to flavor your steak?

Ms. Mabel Menard gives us her recipe for a SMOKIN’ steak. Check it out!

Tea-Smoked Steak Recipe

This was borne out of experimentation and improvisation. I wanted to make tea-smoked duck but didn’t have all the ingredients, so I improvised with what I could find in my pantry. It worked so well I decided to try smoking steak instead. You’ll need a heavy pan that can accommodate a steamer rack.

Ingredients

4 flat iron steaks (about 6 ounces each)

seasoned salt or Vulcan’s fire salt

1/3 cup loose dark tea leaves

1/3 cup raw rice

3 tablespoons raw sugar

1 tablespoon five spice powder

OR 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice

Serves / Yields

4

Preparation Instructions

Liberally sprinkle salt on both sides of the steaks. In the meantime, line a heavy pan with heavy duty foil. Cover the bottom of the foil with a thin layer of tea leaves, followed by rice, sugar, and spice. Cover and heat until very hot. Pat the steaks dry and place in a steamer rack. Put the steamer rack on the pan. Cover tightly. Heat on high for at least 1/2 hour, depending on desired doneness. Remove and let sit for about 10 minutes before slicing thinly.

Helpful Hints

It’s great as part of an appetizer platter. You can also use it with salads.

Credit

This recipe was provided by Mabel Menard from Chicago.

Recipe courtesy of TheSpiceHouse.com.