Peppered Filets With Cherry Port Sauce For 2 Recipes

PEPPERED FILETS WITH CHERRY PORT SAUCE FOR 2

Steps:

• Sprinkle steaks with pepper. Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°)., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the wine, onion, raisins, cherries and sugar. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half., Combine the cornstarch, mustard, salt and water until smooth. Gradually stir into the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve sauce with steaks; sprinkle with cheese.

FILET MIGNON WITH CHERRY-BALSAMIC REDUCTION

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a small heavy metal or ceramic saucepan. Add shallots and cook until they are soft and wilted, not browned (about 3 minutes). Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add the wine, preserves, vinegar and cherries. Increase the heat to bring the sauce to a light boil, stirring occasionally. Let the sauce reduce to half the original amount (about 10-12 minutes). It should get thick and syrupy.
• When the sauce is almost done, preheat broiler. Pat steaks dry and sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the steaks. Broil to the desired level of doneness.
• For rare steaks: cook 2 1/2 minutes per side; for medium rare, cook 3 minutes per side; for medium, cook 3 1/2 minutes per side; for medium well, 4 minutes per side.
• To serve, serve steaks on a serving platter and sauce on the side. Or you can spoon sauce over each steak served on individual plates.

FILET MIGNONS WITH PEPPER CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the peppercorns into a shallow bowl. Sprinkle the beef tenderloin filets with salt on both sides, and coat both sides with crushed peppercorns.
• Melt the butter with the olive oil over high heat in a heavy skillet (not nonstick) until the foam disappears from the butter. Gently place the steaks in the pan, and cook until they start to become firm and are reddish-pink and juicy in the center, about 3 1/2 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 130 degrees F (54 degrees C). Remove the steaks to platter, and cover tightly with foil.
• Pour the beef broth into the skillet, and use a whisk to stir the broth and scrape up any dissolved brown flavor bits from the skillet. Whisk in the cream, and simmer the sauce until it's reduced and thickened, 6 to 7 minutes. Place the steaks back in the skillet, turn to coat with sauce, and serve with the remaining sauce.

BEEF TENDERLOIN STEAK W/ CHERRY-PORT SAUCE

Steps:

• Set oven to broil.
• Combine cherries, 1/4 cup port, and juice in a small bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes for the cherries to absorb most of the liquid.
• Coat beef with cooking spray; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil 6 inches from heat for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 and bake for 30 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 145 degrees. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
• Heat oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add shallot and garlic; saute 1 1/2 minutes. Stir in cherry mixture, 3/4 cup port, broth, and thyme. Bring to a boil; cook 10 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Pour over steaks. Serve immediately.
• Serving size is 1 steak with 2 tbsp sauce.