Beef en croute with coriander walnut filling

4 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
Trimmed 4 1/2 to 5 pound
Beef tenderloin roast (about
16 Inches long and 3
Inches in diameter)
1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
1 large Egg
1 tablespoon Water
1 pack Store bought frozen puff
Pastry, thawed
Coriander walnut filling,
Recipe follows

Directions

Trim tenderloin if necessary and pat dry. Halve tenderloin crosswise and season with salt and pepper. In a large heavy skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until just smoking and brown beef, 1 piece at a time, on all sides, about 2 minutes total for each piece of beef, transferring to a platter.

Make an egg wash by lightly beating egg with water. On a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin roll out pastry into a 19 by 15-inch rectangle (slightly less than ¼-inch thick). Cut a 1-inch strip of dough from a shorter end (leaving an 18 by 15-inch rectangle) and reserve strip. Arrange rectangle lengthwise on a baking sheet or tray (about 17½ by 12 ½-inches), letting excess hang over. Spread one third filling lengthwise down middle of rectangle, forming a 16 by 2-inch strip. Arrange beef pieces end to end lengthwise on filling and spread remaining filling on top of beef. Brush edges of dough with some egg wash. Fold up long sides of dough to enclose beef completely and seal edge. Fold ends of dough over wrapped beef and seal edges. Invert a large baking sheet onto wrapped beef and invert beef onto sheet so that pastry is seam side down. Brush crust evenly with some egg wash. Cut out holly leaves and berries from reserved pastry strip and arrange on crust, gently pressing to make them adhere. Brush decorations with some egg wash and with a sharp knife make small steam vents every 3 inches on top of crest. Chill beef en croute, loosely covered, at least 1 hour and up to 6.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake beef en croute in middle of oven 45 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and a thermometer inserted diagonally 2 inches into center of beef registers 115 degrees. Let beef stand on sheet on a rack 25 minutes. Beef will continue to cook as it stands, reaching 125 degrees (medium rare).

Yield: 16 servings

COOKING LIVE SHOW #CL9028 All recipes courtesy of Gourmet Magazine

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