Beef Tenderloin With Roast Shallots , Bacon and Port

We made this for Christmas and it was a huge hit! The sauce is even better the next day. This is from Bon Appetit magazine, Dec. 1997.

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs  large shallots, halved lengthwise, peeled (about 24)
• 3  tablespoons olive oil
• 6  cups  canned beef broth
• 1 1⁄2 cups  tawny port
• 1  tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 (3 -3 1/4lb)  beef tenderloin steaks, trimmed (large ends)
• 2  teaspoons dried thyme
• 7  slices bacon, chopped
• 6  tablespoons butter
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F In 9-inch-diameter 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. Boil broth and Port in large saucepan until reduced to 3 3/4 cups, about 30 minutes. Whisk in tomato paste. (Shallots and broth mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately; chill.).
3. Pat beef dry; sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper. In large roasting pan set over medium heat, sauté bacon until golden, about 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Add beef to pan; brown on all sides over medium-high heat, about 7 minutes. Transfer pan to oven; roast beef until meat thermometer inserted into center registers 125°F for medium-rare, about 45 minutes. Transfer beef to platter. Tent loosely with foil.
4. Spoon fat off top of pan drippings in roasting pan. Place roasting pan over high heat. Add broth mixture and bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Transfer to medium saucepan; bring to simmer. Mix 3 tablespoons butter and flour in small bowl to form smooth paste; whisk into broth mixture and simmer until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Whisk in 3 tablespoons butter. Stir in roasted shallots and reserved bacon. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Cut beef into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Spoon some sauce over. Pass remaining sauce.