Beef Tenderloin With Basil Crema With Watermelon Basil Salad And Grilled Plantains Recipes

GRILLED WATERMELON BASIL MINT SMOOTHIE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to high heat (400 degrees F). To grill the watermelon, first sprinkle with the sugar and salt. Grill quickly, cooking each side for 2 minutes and flipping with a wide spatula. Once the watermelon is cooked, remove from the grill and add to a blender, along with the yogurt, apple juice, ice, honey and vanilla. Puree until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Finally, add the mint and basil leaves, pulse 5 to 6 times and serve. Garnish with watermelon wedges and mint.

BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH BASIL CREMA WITH WATERMELON-BASIL SALAD AND GRILLED PLANTAINS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high and prepare for indirect grilling: On a charcoal grill, bank the coals to one side. For a gas grill, turn off half of the burners. Put the onion in a small bowl and cover with cold water; let soak 20 minutes, then drain and squeeze dry. Meanwhile, pulse 1 cup basil, the avocado, garlic, crema and the juice of 1 lime in a blender or mini food processor until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Tie the beef tenderloin in 2-inch intervals using kitchen twine. Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, the cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl. Brush the oil mixture all over the beef and transfer to the grill over direct heat. Grill, turning occasionally, until the beef is well marked, about 15 minutes. Transfer the beef to the cooler side of the grill (indirect heat) and continue grilling, turning occasionally, until a thermometer inserted into the center registers 125 degrees F for medium rare, 15 to 20 more minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.
• While the beef is cooking over indirect heat, cut a small slit down the center of each plantain and lightly brush the skins with olive oil; transfer to the grill over direct heat. Grill, turning occasionally, until the skins are charred and the plantains are soft, about 20 minutes; cut into thirds.
• Meanwhile, roughly chop the remaining 2 cups basil; toss with the watermelon, the remaining lime juice and 2 tablespoons olive oil, the cheese, aje peppers and onion in a medium bowl. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Slice the beef and serve with the basil crema, plantains and watermelon salad.

GRILLED BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH HERB-GARLIC-PEPPER COATING

Steps:

• Prepare beef: Trim off excess fat with a sharp knife. Fold thin tip end under to approximate the thickness of the rest of the roast. Tie with butcher's twine, then keep tying the roast with twine every 11/2 to 2 inches (to help the roast keep its shape). Snip silverskin with scissors to keep roast from bowing during cooking. Then, mix oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, pepper and salt; rub over roast to coat. Set meat aside.
• Either build a charcoal fire in half the grill or turn all gas burners on high for 10 minutes. Lubricate grate with an oil-soaked rag using tongs. Place beef on hot rack and close lid; grill until well-seared, about 5 minutes. Turn meat and close lid; grill until well-seared on second side, another 5 minutes.
• Move meat to the charcoal grill's cool side, or turn off burner directly underneath the meat and turn remaining one or two burners (depending on grill style) to medium. Cook until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest section registers 130 degrees for rosy pink, 45 to 60 minutes, depending on tenderloin size and grill. Let meat rest 15 minutes before carving.

WATERMELON BASIL SALAD

Steps:

• Stack basil leaves on top of each other and roll tightly into a log. Slice lengthwise into thin ribbons.
• Combine basil slices and watermelon in a large bowl. Drizzle lemon juice over watermelon.
• Mix salt and chili powder together in a small bowl; sprinkle over watermelon and toss to combine. Chill salad before serving, at least 30 minutes.