Tournedos Au Poivre Et Champignons(Filet Au Poivre W/Mushrooms)

This is adapted from a cookbook I got in around 1972--Hows and Whys of French Cooking by Alma Lach--and completely wore out. Happily, I found another copy on e-bay, and am now making new stains on the pages. These filets are really lovely--with a salad, potato and good bread, you have a terrific but easy to prepare meal.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 6  filet mignon, 2-inch thick (or tournedos)
• 1⁄4 cup peppercorn
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons butter (approximate)
• 3  tablespoons cognac
•  salt
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons butter
• 6  tablespoons  whipping cream
• 1  lb mushroom, sliced thinly
• 1⁄4 cup parsley, fresh, chopped

Directions

1. Mash peppercorns with a mallet or the back of a heavy pan.
2. Press each side of the fillets into the cracked peppercorns and let the beef stand about an hour to absorb the flavor.
3. Heat the butter and add the beef and sear about 8 minutes per side for rare, 10 for medium, 12 for well done.
4. Remove the steaks to a platter and allow to rest.
5. Add cognac to the pan and heat for just a few seconds and then set ablaze.
6. Option 1: Boil the liquid about a minute then stir in additional butter, salt and cream.
7. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, add mushrooms and saute till mushrooms are soft.
8. Pour over fillets and sprinkle with parsley.
9. Option 2: Skip the cream (but it's better with).