Beef wellington

Beef Wellington makes a very impressive main course for a special occasion dinner party.

Although this beef Wellington recipe is fairly time consuming to prepare, almost all of the preparation can be done well in advance, with only the final baking left to the last moment.

Fillet of Beef Wellington
with Madeira & Black Truffle Jus
INGREDIENTS
SERVES 8

1 x 3lb (1.35kg) fillet of beef (tenderloin)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1oz (30g) unsalted butter
salt and freshly milled black pepper
6oz (175g) pâté de foie gras
4 ready prepared pancakes
1 small egg, beaten
1lb (450g) puff pastry

MUSHROOM STUFFING (DUXELLE)
2oz (55g) unsalted butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
8oz (220g) flat black mushrooms, finely chopped
3 tablespoons heavy (double) cream
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
salt and freshly milled black pepper

MADEIRA & TRUFFLE JUS
¾ cup (6 fl.oz) Madeira wine
¾ cup (6 fl.oz) beef broth (stock)
2 tablespoons finely chopped black truffles
knob of unsalted butter

TO SERVE
bunch watercress, washed


METHOD

The first step in this beef Wellington recipe is to prepare the stuffing (Duxelle). This can be prepared up to 2 days in advance when covered and stored in the refrigerator.

    * Heat the butter in a frying pan and add the chopped onion. sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until soft and golden.

    * Add the chopped mushrooms and sauté until all of the moisture evaporates.

    * Now add the cream and season well with salt and freshly milled black pepper. Continue to cook over a low heat until it has reduced to a thick pureé.

    * Finally, remove from the heat, mix in the chopped parsley and allow to cool completely before refrigerating until required.


PREPARE THE BEEF

Although this stage of my beef Wellington recipe requires a little time and patience, it's not difficult......and can be completed up to 2 hours before baking!

    * Heat the olive oil and butter in a large frying pan.

    * Season the beef fillet with salt and freshly milled black pepper. Place in the hot pan and brown on all sides over a high heat. This should only take 3 to 4 minutes.

    * Remove the beef from the pan and allow to cool completely. Reserve the juices (not the fat) from the cooking pan and any from the beef as it rests, for the jus later.

    * On a floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to an oblong big enough to fit the fillet (about 1/8 inch, 3mm thick). Lay 2 pancakes on top of the pastry, overlapping slightly.

    * Spread a strip of pâté across the centre of the pastry, the same width as the beef fillet.

    * Spread the mushroom stuffing over the top of the pâté.

    * Place the beef on top of the stuffing and push down gently to settle it into the mix.

    * Place the 2 remaining pancakes over the top of the beef.

    * Cut away the middle of the ends of the pastry and brush all edges with some beaten egg. Now carefully fold the pastry up to completely envelope the beef, tucking in the ends neatly.

    * Carefully turn the parcel over onto a buttered, large baking tray.

    * With a tip of a sharp knife make 4 or 5 small incisions in the pastry. Decorate the top with pastry leaves cut out of the trimmings. Refrigerate, uncovered for at least 30 minutes.

TIP
To save valuable time later, the above stage for this beef Wellington recipe can be completed up to 2 hours before baking.


BAKE THE BEEF FILLET

    * Preheat the oven to 450F/230C/gas mark 8.

    * Remove the beef from the refrigerator and brush all over with the beaten egg.

    * Bake the beef fillet at the high heat for 10 minutes. Then turn the heat down to 375F/190C/gas mark 5 for a further 20 to 25 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.

    * Remove from the oven and leave to relax (uncovered) for 10 to 15 minutes.


PREPARE THE MADEIRA JUS
(this can be done while the beef is baking)

    * In a saucepan, bring to the boil the reserved juices from the beef pan with the Madeira and beef broth (stock).

    * Simmer gently until reduced by half. Add the finely chopped truffles (if using them), and bring back to simmering for 2 minutes.

    * Take the pan off the heat and add a knob of butter. Shake the pan gently until the butter melts and gives a shine to the sauce.

    * Season to taste.