Oh, beautiful, delicious filet mignon. How I’ve missed you. I’ve been cheating on you. Most of my dates lately have been with ribeyes. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?

When I think of your tender, juicy goodness I get little pangs of regret that I’ve been lured into choosing the rich, hearty taste of the ribeye.

I don’t know why I do it.

Habit?

Fear?

I don’t know.

Maybe it’s the draw of the cowboy, rogueish, bad boy ribeye. You know a girl can’t resist a bad boy.

But when I see photos of you like this I have to ask myself why. Why don’t I choose you lately? You’re so soft. And tender.

Women need that, too, you know. So, if just for now, I choose you, filet.

I choose YOU.

Filet Mignon with Red Onion and Tarragon Relish

Olive oil for the pan

1 large red onion, peeled and thinly sliced

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 cup red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot

1 1/2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh tarragon

Pepper

2 – 4 filets mignon

Salt and Pepper

Olive oil for the pan

For the Relish

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then add the onion, sugar and salt. Cook until the onion is soft, but not brown, stirring often. This should take about 5 minutes. Add the red wine and allow the liquid to gently simmer until evaporated, stirring often. About 5 – 10 minutes.

Add the vinegar and tarragon, stirring briefly. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.

For the Steaks

Season both sides of the steaks with salt and pepper. Don’t hold back, do this like you mean it. Heat the oil in the pan over high heat until the oil starts to smoke. Carefully place the steaks in the skillet using tongs, and cook on the first side for about 4-5 minutes. Flip once that side is a deep brown. Continue to cook on the other side until done to your preference. This was about another 3-4 minutes for me (medium rare).

Transfer the steaks to a warm plate and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

To serve, mound the relish on top of each steak and enjoy.

Notes:

* Remember to bring your steaks to room temperature before cooking so that they heat evenly.

Heavenly photo and recipe courtesy of Cooking-Books.blogspot.com.

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.