Who doesn’t enjoy a juicy and meltingly tender steak?

Tja, the recipe that I am about to present here was a suggestion from a friend, whose initial attempt to prepare filet mignon didn’t quite turn out as well as she would have liked. She also asked me how to prepare from scratch one of her favorite sauces, Madeira.

This particular sauce is a “small sauce” (a culinary term for a secondary or variant sauce) that is ideal for accompanying steaks and roasts, and is prepared from modification of the mother-sauce, Espagnole. Its name derives from the Madeira wine with which it is made– this is a fortified wine originating in the Madeira Islands of Portugal.

Instead of simply handing her the recipe, I decided I would share it with you, också, dear reader. But before describing the recipe for Filet Mignon with Madeira Sauce, I’d like to tell you a few important facts about this noble cut of meat. I promise: it’s worth your reading time…

Filet mignon steaks are cut from the tenderloin, a section of the short loin. The meat from the short loin is lean but still tender because cows do not overexert these muscles.

According to The Cook’s Thesaurus, naturally tender filet mignon does not require soaking in salty brines or acidic marinades prior to cooking because it is, well… naturally tender.

But I would not take this statement just at face value!!! Rather, I would say that although it does not need to be tenderized, it can indeed be marinated in order to enhance its flavor. Emellertid, please do NOT marinate the filet mignon for more than 10-15 minuter, as this may turn the texture of the steak unpleasantly mushy due to the tenderizing effect of the acidic marinade components. Remember: just like salt, acids break down the tissue fibers, tenderizing even more this already very tender cut of meat.

To prepare our filet mignon, we will use a dry heat method of cooking, known as pan-searing. This stovetop technique seals the meat in its own juices, while at the same time creating a mouth-watering browned exterior, and enough cooking residue to prepare a reduction sauce — in our case the Madeira Sauce. Grilling and Broiling are other dry heat cooking methods suitable for filet mignon.

Just keep in mind that no matter which of those dry cooking methods above you choose, filet mignon should never be cooked past the medium-rare stage (internal temperature of 130 till 135 grader F) because this not only overcooks the meat but also produces a tasteless, grey-colored steak.

OK, now it’s time to prepare one of the best filet mignons ever…

Bon Appetit!

xx

 

Filet Mignon med Madeira sås

Tjänar 4

(Segment: Brasilianska köket)

Ingredienser:

1-1/2 cup Madeira wine

1-1/2 cup beef stock

4 (6 oz) filet mignon steaks (each about 1 tum tjock)**

4 teaspoons coarse salt

2 tsk nymalen svartpeppar

1-1/2 matsked olivolja (inte extra virgin)

3 matsked osaltat smör, divided

1/4 cup shallots, mald

1 tablespoon garlic

1-1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, hackad

** If you did buy a whole beef tenderloin, do not worry. Vänligen, watch the video on how to butcher beef tenderloin into filet mignon steaks.

Vägbeskrivning:

Bring filet mignon steaks to room temperature for about 30 minutes to 1 hour prior cooking to ensure the steak cooks quickly and evenly.

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring both the Madeira wine and the beef broth to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and let simmer until only about half of the mixture (1-1/2 kopp) remains and has slightly thickened. Reserv.

Use paper towels to pat the filet mignons dry, and then season the steaks on both sides with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper. Reserv.

Samtidigt, heat a heavy-bottom large stainless steel or cast-iron skillet and add 1-1/2 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Over medium-high heat, sauté steaks until medium-rare (om 4 minuter per sida). Transfer the steaks to a heated platter and cover loosely with foil while preparing the Madeira sauce.

Saute shallots and garlic in the skillet for about 1 minut. Add the previously reduced wine-stock mixture and the rosemary. Allow the mixture to bubble for 2 minuter, scraping up any browned bits. Remove from the heat and whisk in 2 tablespoons butter. When the butter has melted, return the steaks to the pan, turning them in the sauce. Servera!

Notera: This recipe was adapted from Filet Mignon w/ Merlot Sauce from Epicurious.

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Intäkter på portugisiska:

Filet Mignon sås Trä

Servera 4

Ingredienser:

1-1/2 xícara de chá de vinho Madeira

1-1/2 xícara de chá de caldo de carne (líquido)

4 (170 g) bifes de filet mignon (cada um 2.5 cm de grossura)

4 colheres de chá de sal grosso

2 colheres de chá de pimenta moída

1-1/2 colheres de sopa de óleo

3 matskedar osaltat smör

1/4 xícara de chá de cebolinha branca, dyk

1 colher de sopa de alho picado

1-1/2 colheres de sopa de alecrim fresco, picado

Sätt att förbereda:

Antes de cozinhar os filés, deixe descansar em temperatura ambiente por 30 minutos a 1 hora para guarantir um cozimento rápido e uniforme.

Numa panela média sobre fogo médio-alto, ferva o vinho Madeira com o caldo de carne juntos. Assim que levantar fervura, reduza o fogo pra médio e deixe cozinhar até que esse líquido seja reduzido a metade (1-1/2 xícaras de chá) e engrossado levemente. Reserv.

Use papel-toalha para enxugar os filés e depois tempere com o sal e a pimenta em ambos os lados. Reserv.

Enquanto isso, numa frigideira grande de aço inoxidável aqueça o óleo e 1 colher de sopa de manteiga. Sobre fogo médio-alto, doure os filés por aproximadamente 4 minuter de cada lado. Transfira os filés para um prato aquecido e cubra com papel-alumínio enquanto o molho Madeira é preparado.

Refogue a cebolinha branca e o alho por 1 minuto sobre fogo médio-alto na mesma frigideira em que os filés foram cozinhados. Adicione a mistura do vinho com o caldo de carne que foi reduzido e o alecrim. Deixe ferver por uns 2 minuter, mexendo bem para que os restos pregados no fundo da frigideira se despreguem e se dissolvam. Remova do fogo e adicione 2 colheres de sopa de manteiga. Mexa bem para se incorporar. Ponha os filés de volta na frigideira e regue com o molho. Sirva!

OBS: Essa receita foi adaptada da de Filet Mignon w/ Merlot Sauce da Revista Epicurious.

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