Beef Wellingtons

Beef Wellingtons

Wellingtons:

• 2 boneless beef tenderloin steaks, 1 1/2 inches thick (6 oz each)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 cup finely chopped cremini mushrooms (2 oz)
• 2 thin slices prosciutto, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (from 1-lb package), thawed
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 3/4 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons brandy
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley

Directions:

1. Season steaks with salt and pepper.
2. In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add steaks; cook 2 minutes on each side to brown. Remove steaks; refrigerate 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons shallot and 1 clove garlic; cook and stir about 2 minutes or until softened. Add mushrooms, prosciutto and thyme; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until mushrooms have softened and any liquid has evaporated. Transfer mushroom mixture to bowl; refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes or until completely cooled.
4. Line large rimmed cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper. Roll puff pastry sheet to 20×9 inches; using sharp knife, cut out two 9-inch rounds. From scraps, cut out leaves or other shapes to use as decoration. Place pastry rounds and decorative cutouts on cookie sheet. Place in freezer 5 minutes.
5. Heat oven to 400°F. In small bowl, beat egg and water. Remove pastry from freezer; brush each round with 1 teaspoon mustard. Place generous tablespoon of the mushroom mixture in center of each pastry. Place a steak on top of mushroom mixture on each pastry round; top each steak with another generous tablespoon mushroom mixture. Brush edges of each pastry round with egg wash; fold pastry over steak so dough edges slightly overlap and steaks are completely enclosed. Place on cookie sheet, seam side down; brush top and sides with egg wash. Place decorative cutouts on top of each; brush cutouts with more egg wash. Place in freezer 5 minutes.
6. Remove from freezer; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and meat thermometer inserted in thickest part of beef reads 135°F for medium-rare (temperature will continue to rise to 145°F while it stands). Place on rack; let stand 10 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons shallot and 1 clove garlic; cook and stir 1 to 3 minutes or until softened. Stir in 1 teaspoon mustard. Remove from heat; add broth, whipping cream and brandy. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat; cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Stir in parsley. Serve sauce with Wellingtons.