Perfect Tenderloin Steak / Filets With Mushrooms

Pellerin's Note:

This is almost a RELIGIOUS experience to eat. One of the few great things about traveling for a profession, is the ability to pursue the quest for "The Perfect Steak." NY steaks are too complicated and "vertical," Chicago can be bland, California adds overwhelming spices. Best so far has been found at "Marysville House"- the one remaining establishment in a ghost mining town about 30 miles outside of Helena, MT*. Have been trying to recreate it for years. Find an outstanding butcher - NOT at your grocery store. Pick the most marbled, aged filets. *Post-scripts: My friend from Helena just told me that Marysville House sold, and isn't nearly as good any more 8**(. For an extra decadence, top with a compound butter made from butter, Gorgonzola cheese, garlic, and basil. THIS should be illegal 8).

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 2

GARLIC

• 1 head fresh garlic
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

STEAK

• 2 (6 -8 ounce) beef tenderloin, filets (nicely marbled and aged, AKA "filet mignon," 1 1/2 inches thick)
• 1 teaspoon regular olive oil
• 2 teaspoons extra coarse sea salt (or kosher)
• 1 teaspoon pepper (freshly coarsely ground)

MUSHROOMS

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb sliced mushrooms (white or cremini, or your fav.)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon extra kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons brandy ("St. Remy" or "Remy Martin" Napolean or other good brandy, or extra dry Spanish sherry)
• 1 cup beef broth

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Roast an entire head of garlic by cutting off top, placing in a small Pyrex baking ramekin. Coat top with EVOO, salt, & pepper.
3. Bake until the cloves are soft and golden, about 1 hour.
4. Remove from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle.
5. Squeeze each head of garlic to expel the cloves into a bowl.
6. SAVE THE OIL and add ½ tablespoon of butter. Set on counter to hold.
7. Increase oven temperature to 400°F.
8. Meanwhile, bring steaks to room temperature and sauté mushrooms.
9. To sauté mushrooms, melt butter and EVOO in a large conventional (not non-stick) sauté pan over medium to med-high heat. After butter foaming stops, add mushrooms, and cook until they are nicely caramelized on both sides. Do not salt & pepper until they are browned, or they will release too much liquid, and take forever to brown. Once browned, add the salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, brandy, beef broth, and roasted garlic. Reduce so that sauce is concentrated, and about ¼ original volume. Reduce to simmer to keep warm. Make an empty space in center of pan, to receive the steaks.
10. Rub steaks with olive oil, and liberally season with salt and freshly ground coarse black pepper.
11. Preheat grill (outdoor or indoor) to med-high for at least 5 minutes, with lid closed.
12. Sear the steaks for 2 minutes on each side, then place them in the pan, surrounded by mushrooms.
13. Pour the garlic-infused oil with butter, from roasting the garlic, over each steak.
14. Immediately place in the oven for 6½ to 7 minutes for medium rare.
15. Remove from oven, cover with foil, and rest for 5 minutes, for juices to settle in meat.
16. Serve steaks, smothered in mushrooms.

Reviews

[rosslare]

Seriously good steak, the roasted garlic mushrooms are fab!

[debdenney]

This recipe is fabulous!! I think the roasted garlic made a big difference, in contrast to an earlier review. I just put it in the oven earlier in the day while I was working, and the flavor was wonderful! This recipe is so rich and so flavorful, I can find no fault. I served with fresh carrots and fresh broccoli to cut the richness of the meat and mushrooms. Will make again and again!!

[Dr. Jenny]

We made the recipe exactly as posted and thought it was nice. I'm not sure about the illegal religious experience part--I've tried a few other brandy and mushroom based filet recipes that I like just as well if not better that are less time consuming, but we did think it was good. Thanks!