| Fillet
of Beef in Puff Pastry with Sauce Madeira
6 tournedos, 6 ounces each (fillet steaks,
1 1/2 inches thick)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 shallots, minced
1 pound mushrooms, finely chopped
4 tablespoons heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds puff pastry
1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water, lightly beaten, for
egg wash
Sauce Madeira, recipe follows
Watercress, for garnish
In a large skillet, over high heat,
saute tournedos in 3 tablespoons butter for 30 seconds
on each side. Set aside to cool completely.
In the same skillet, with the remaining 3 tablespoons
of butter, cook shallots and mushrooms until all liquid
evaporates. Add cream, salt and pepper. Reduce over
moderate heat to a thick puree. Cool.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Divide pastry into 6 equal portions.
On a lightly floured board, roll out each portion to
a rectangle approximately 6 by 12 inches and 1/4 inch
thick. Place each tournedo on one side of a pastry rectangle,
leaving enough room to fold over.
Top each tournedos with mushroom puree.
Brush edges of the pastry with egg wash and then fold
it over and shape it to the contours of the meat. Cut
away excess pastry and decorate as desired.
Glaze the tops of the pastry with egg
wash.
Bake the tournedos 15 to 20 minutes,
or until the pastry is golden brown.
Arrange each tournedo on a heated plate
and garnish with watercress. Nap the sauce Madeira around
the tournedos.
Sauce Madeira:
1 cup Madeira
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 teaspoon minced thyme leaves
1 cup veal stock
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper
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