Beef Wellington 101: The Basics of This Classic Dish
Beef Wellington is a timeless and elegant dish that never fails to impress. It consists of tender beef, wrapped in a layer of rich mushroom duxelles, prosciutto, and flaky puff pastry. Whether you're preparing it for a special occasion or simply wanting to indulge in a delicious meal, this step-by-step recipe guide will help you master the art of Beef Wellington.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole beef tenderloin (about 2 pounds)
- Salt and black pepper
- Olive oil
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
- 2 shallots, minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 4 slices prosciutto di Parma
- Dijon mustard (enough to coat the beef)
- Puff pastry sheets (enough to wrap the beef)
- Egg wash (1 large egg beaten with a splash of water)
Step-by-step Guide:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season the whole beef tenderloin generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once hot, sear the seasoned beef tenderloin for about two minutes on each side until nicely browned. This step helps seal in the juices and adds flavor.
4. Remove the seared beef tenderloin from the skillet and let it cool completely.
5. Meanwhile, prepare your mushroom duxelles by adding finely chopped cremini mushrooms into a food processor along with minced shallots and garlic cloves. Pulse until finely chopped but not pureed.
6. In the same skillet used for searing the meat earlier, melt butter over medium heat until foamy. Add mushroom mixture and cook until most of the moisture has evaporated, stirring occasionally. This process takes around 10-15 minutes.
7. Stir in fresh thyme leaves, season with salt and black pepper to taste, then remove from heat and allow it to cool completely.
8. Next, lay out four slices of prosciutto di Parma on a sheet of plastic wrap or parchment paper, slightly overlapping each other. The prosciutto should be large enough to wrap around the entire beef tenderloin.
9. Evenly spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard over the prosciutto slices.
10. Once the mushroom mixture has cooled down, generously spread it over the prosciutto-coated beef tenderloin.
11. Place the beef tenderloin at one end of the prosciutto-mushroom-covered surface and carefully roll it up using your plastic wrap or parchment paper as a guide to help you create a tight bundle. Secure any loose ends by twisting them tightly or using additional plastic wrap if needed.
12. Chill the wrapped beef tenderloin in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes to firm up before moving on to the next step.
13. Meanwhile, lightly flour your work surface and roll out puff pastry sheets into rectangles large enough to encase your wrapped beef tenderloin entirely with some overlap.
14. Remove chilled wrapped beef from refrigerator and unwrap carefully from plastic wrap or parchment paper.
15. Place it in the center of one puff pastry rectangle sheet and fold over lengthwise so that both sides meet in the middle while covering all sides of meat entirely with no overlap showing.
16.Brush beaten egg wash along exposed edges of puff pastry before sealing them together firmly by pressing gently with fingertips or using tines of a fork.
17.Transfer sealed Beef Wellington onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
18.Brush entire surface generously with egg wash for a beautiful golden-brown finish.
19.Using a sharp knife, create decorative slits or patterns on the top of the puff pastry.
20.Place in preheated oven and bake for about 30-40 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and cooked through, while keeping an eye on it to avoid overcooking the meat.
21.Allow Beef Wellington to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing into thick portions with a serrated knife.
22.Serve hot with your choice of sides like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad. Enjoy!
Beef Wellington may seem like an intimidating dish at first glance, but by following this step-by-step recipe guide, you'll be able to impress yourself and others with your culinary skills. So go ahead, embrace this classic dish and enjoy creating a masterpiece in your own kitchen!