Herb Crusted Beef Tenderloin

Published in Cook's Country magazine, Dec/Jan 2007. A whole beef tenderloin can be an expensive cut of meat but three distinct crusts - the oven-seared meat, the herb paste coating, and the herbed bread-crumb crown - make this roast perfect for special occasions. Begin the recipe 2 hours before you plan to put it in the oven. The tenderloin can be trimmed, tied, rubbed with the salt mixture, and refrigerated up to 24 hours in advance; make sure to bring the roast back to room temperature before putting it in the oven. Serve with Horseradish Cream Sauce.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 40 mins
• Serves: 12-16

Ingredients

• 1 (5 -6 lb)  whole beef tenderloin, trimmed and patted dry
• 1  tablespoon salt
• 1  tablespoon cracked black pepper
• 2  teaspoons sugar

• Bread Crumb Topping

• 2  slices  hearty  white bread, torn into pieces
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley
• 2  teaspoons thyme
• 1⁄2 cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 2  tablespoons olive oil

• Herb Paste

• 6  tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh thyme, plus
• 3⁄4 cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 4  tablespoons olive oil
• 4  garlic cloves, minced

Directions

1. Tuck the thin, tapered end of the tenderloin under the roast, then tie the entire roast every 1 1/2 inches.
2. Combine 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon pepper, and sugar in small bowl and rub all over tenderloin. Transfer tenderloin to wire rack set on rimmed baking sheet and let stand at room temperature for 2 hours.
3. Bread Crumb Topping: Pulse bread in food processor to fine crumbs. Transfer bread crumbs to medium bowl and toss in 2 tablespoons parsley, 2 teaspoons thyme, 1/2 cup parmesan, and 2 tablespoons oil until evenly combined.
4. Herb Paste: Wipe out food processor and process remaining 6 tablespoons parsley, 2 tablespoons thyme, 3/4 cups cheese, 4 tablespoons oil, and garlic until smooth paste forms. Transfer herb paste to small bowl.
5. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 400°F Roast tenderloin 20 minutes and remove from oven. Using scissors, cut and remove twine.
6. Using a spatula, spread the herb paste evenly over the top and sides of the tenderloin.
7. Press the bread-crumb mixture evenly onto the roast, using the other hand to catch the crumbs and keep them from falling through the rack.
8. Roast until thickest part of meat registers about 130°F and topping is golden brown, 20-25 minutes. (If topping browns before meat reaches preferred internal temperature, lightly cover with foil for balance of roasting time and remove while roast rests.).
9. Let roast rest, uncovered, for 30 minutes on wire rack. Transfer to cutting board and carve. Serve.