A dish that looks impressive but feels surprisingly approachable — tender beef fillet wrapped in flaky pastry, layered with mushrooms, onions, and a touch of wine and cream. It’s the kind of centerpiece that brings both elegance and comfort to the table, perfect for a dinner party or a cozy weekend meal.
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 2.2 lbs beef fillet (tenderloin)
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the filling:
- 10 oz mushrooms
- 2 large onions
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons dry red wine
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 oz cooked sausage (optional, finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
For wrapping:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (about 17×13 inches, thawed if frozen)
- 1 egg yolk
- 3 tablespoons milk
For the sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Season the beef fillet with salt and pepper. Heat butter in a skillet and sear the fillet on all sides until nicely browned. Remove from the pan and let cool.
Clean and finely slice the mushrooms and onions. In the same pan, melt butter and sauté the onions until soft and golden. Add mushrooms, cook for a few minutes, then pour in red wine and heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer until thickened and season with salt, pepper, and parsley. Set aside to cool.
Roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle. Spoon the cooled mushroom mixture along the center and place the seared beef fillet on top. If using sausage, scatter it over the mushrooms before adding the meat.
Fold the pastry over the fillet, sealing the edges tightly. Beat the egg yolk with milk and brush over the pastry for a golden finish. Place the roll seam-side down on a greased baking sheet.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the pastry turns golden brown and crisp.
While the fillet bakes, heat butter in a small pan. Stir in beef broth and cream, simmer gently, and season to taste.
Serve:
Let the baked fillet rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with the warm cream sauce and your choice of sides — roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a crisp green salad.
