Beef Tenderloin with Pecan-Crust

If you are looking for a truly special date night dinner idea this pecan-crusted beef tenderloin. The sweet nuttyness of the pecans and the tang of juniper berries pairs beautifully with rich beef tenderloins to create an unforgettable dish. 

Photo credit @QuentinBacon

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

Two 2 1/2-pound well-trimmed center-cut beef tenderloins, not tied

Salt and freshly ground pepper

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

4 large egg yolks

1 cup pecans, very finely chopped

3 shallots, thinly sliced

1 garlic clove, thinly sliced

1 carrot, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 teaspoons dried juniper berries, crushed

1 1/2 cups full-bodied red wine, such as Syrah

1 cup beef demiglace (see Note)

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DirectionsInstructions Checklist

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425°. Season the tenderloins all over with salt and pepper. In each of 2 large deep skillets, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the tenderloins to the skillets and cook over high heat until browned all over, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool slightly.

Step 2

In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, mustard and egg yolks and brush the mixture all over the tenderloins. Transfer the meat to a large roasting pan. Sprinkle the pecans all over and press to help them adhere. Roast in the middle of the oven for about 25 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of each tenderloin registers 125° for medium-rare. Cover the roasts loosely with foil if the coating browns too quickly. Transfer to a cutting board and let stand for 10 minutes.

Step 3

Meanwhile, pour off the fat in one of the skillets used for browning the meat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the shallots, garlic and carrot and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and just beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste and juniper berries and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook over moderate heat, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet, until the sauce is slightly thickened and reduced to 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes. Add the demiglace and bring to a boil. Strain the sauce through a fine sieve into a small saucepan, pressing hard on the solids. Season the jus with salt and pepper and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.

Step 4

Carve the roasts and serve with the juniper jus on the side.

Notes

Beef demiglace is available in the freezer section of large supermarkets and specialty-food shops.

Suggested Pairing

A full-bodied red will echo the juniper-berry jus and the rich pecan coating on the beef tenderloin.