Beef Fillet With Fennel Salad Rosemary Cream Dressing Recipes

BEEF FILLET WITH FENNEL SALAD & ROSEMARY CREAM DRESSING

Steps:

• Pour the stock into a deep saucepan that will hold the beef. Add the onion, carrot and fennel trimmings plus 2 sprigs of rosemary, all the thyme and the bay leaf, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Trim the beef fillet of any membrane or sinew if necessary. There is no need to tie it, so leave it a natural shape. Sprinkle sea salt and black pepper evenly and lightly on a large plate, ready for seasoning.
• While stock is simmering, slice the fennel from the root end using a mandolin (or sharp knife) into wafer-thin slices. Drop the slices into a big bowl of iced water with the lemon juice. Leave for 10-15 minutes then drain, pat dry and toss with 2 tbsp of the vinaigrette. Season and set aside to marinate.
• When ready to cook the beef, roll it in the seasoning on the plate so it is well coated. Submerge the beef in the stock, pushing it down under the veg and herbs so it cooks evenly. Bring it to the boil, then reduce the heat and poach for 18 minutes for rare, 20 minutes for medium rare.
• Lift the fillet out onto a large plate and pour over 2 ladles of stock (about 150ml). Place the poached herb sprigs on top of the beef, then cover with cling film and leave the meat to rest and cool. It will keep warm for up to an hour.
• Meanwhile, strain the stock and return it to the pan. Reheat to boiling. Top and tail the courgettes and slice these into thin shavings using a mandolin or sharp knife. Dunk the courgettes in the boiling stock for about 30 seconds until they wilt, then immediately remove with a slotted spoon and put in a sieve under cold running water to cool down quickly.
• Pour about 4 ladles (300ml) of the stock into a smaller pan, add another sprig of rosemary and boil down to about 100ml. Pour in the cream and boil for another 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Strip the leaves from the last sprig of rosemary and finely chop. Add half to the rosemary cream as it cools. Then mix in the remaining 4 tbsp vinaigrette.
• Put the Little gem leaves in a bowl and toss with the fennel and courgettes, remaining rosemary and seasoning. Toss the salad with half the rosemary cream dressing. This can now be chilled for up to an hour until ready to serve. Keep back a handful of the salad for garnishing, put the rest on a large platter.
• Uncover the beef, remove the herb sprigs, then cut the beef lengthways into 6-8 long thin slices using a well-sharpened carving knife. Lift these up all together on a palette knife and place on the salad in a neat mound. Top with the reserved salad and shave over some parmesan. Drizzle the remaining sauce over the beef.

ARUGULA AND FENNEL SALAD WITH LEMON-HERB VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Put a small saucepan, filled halfway with water, over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Stir in the sugar and a pinch of salt. Add the onions and poach until fork tender. Remove the onions from the water to a small bowl and cool. Halve the onions and set aside.
• Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette: Chop the garlic and shallot in a food processor or blender. Add the thyme and rosemary leaves and pulse to combine. Add the vinegar, lemon zest and juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. With the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until the mixture is emulsified. Pour the mixture into a bowl and stir in the chives. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and set aside.
• Heat a small saute pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced almonds and toast for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir them so they don't burn! Remove from the heat and let cool.
• To assemble the salad, put the arugula in a large bowl, add the toasted almonds, grape tomatoes, fennel, cipollini onions, and a few spoonfuls of dressing. Add more dressing, to taste, and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve the salad on chilled plates and garnish the top with cheese

ROSEMARY BEEF FILLET

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Pat tenderloin dry, then coat all sides with salt, pepper and garlic.
• Tuck rosemary sprigs under strings on all sides of roast, leaving a few inches between each.
• Heat oil in a heavy skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown tenderloin on all sides (but not ends) about 10 minutes.
• Transfer pan to oven and roast until thermometer inserted diagonally 2 inches into center of meat registers 120 degrees, 25-30 minutes.
• Transfer beef to a cutting board and let stand 15 minutes.
• Temperature of meat will rise to about 130 degrees.
• Discard string and rosemary sprigs before slicing.

FENNEL SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Measure the oils, vinegars, lemon juice, sugar, mustard, fennel and dried parsley into a glass jar.
• Cover, and shake to combine.
• Add salt and pepper (and fresh parsley if using) to taste.
• Serve over your favorite combination of greens and other salad ingredients such as chopped vegetables, meats, eggs, etc.
• Store the unused portion in the refrigerator.
• It should last at least one week (it is used quickly in our home).