pat's Recipe

Beef Tenderloin with Mushrooms and Thyme

Category: Beef

One 4- to 5-pound beef tenderloin, tied
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms
1 bunch fresh thyme sprigs
Shallot-Brandy Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Season beef with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, and brown on all sides.
Toss mushrooms with remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add mushrooms and thyme sprigs to skillet; place in oven. Cook until beef registers 125 degrees for medium-rare, 18 to 20 minutes. Let stand 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with mushrooms and shallot-brandy sauce. Garnish with thyme.

Serves 10-12.

Shallot-Brandy Sauce
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup finely chopped shallots
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3/4 cup brandy
4 cups homemade or low-sodium store bought beef stock
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh thyme
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and garlic; cook, stirring often, until soft, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add brandy. Bring to a boil. Cook until reduced by half. Whisk in stock and cream and cook until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in thyme; season with salt and pepper.

Makes about 2 cups.