Filetmignon Recipes

PAN SEARED FILET MIGNON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Start with 1 1/2 thick filets, about 8 oz each, and trimmed well. Remove any silver skin. If you have time, rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes.
• Pat dry well with paper towels. Season all sides to taste. Just kosher salt and pepper will be fine. I use my homemade All-Purpose Seasoning -7:2:2. Season just before cooking or 1 hour before cooking to prevent the salt from pulling fluid out of the meat.
• In an oven-safe pan (I love my 10-inch cast iron), melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat or use oil. When hot, sear both sides of the filets for 2-3 minutes-sear, flip, sear, and final flip before going to the oven.
• Transfer to the preheated oven. Cook to your desired done temperature minus about 3-5 degrees. For me, medium-rare is always about 8-10 minutes to get an internal temp of about 135°- 140°. If you want rare, check the internal temperature when the meat goes into the oven.
• I suggest checking the internal temperature after 4-5 minutes in the oven to see where you are on the internal temperature. Time can vary due to the exact temperature of the meat to start, the exact temperature of the oven, the pan used, and the thickness of the meat. Rare may take only a few minutes in the oven so beware if you want rare. DO NOT COOK BY TIME ALONE. YOU MUST CHECK THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURE. Times are provided to help planning only.
• Remove from pan and tent lightly with foil on a plate and let rest for 3-5 minutes before cutting. It needs to absorb fluids internally, and the temperature will rise a few more degrees during the rest.

FILET MIGNON WITH RICH BALSAMIC GLAZE

Steps:

• Sprinkle freshly ground pepper over both sides of each steak, and sprinkle with salt to taste.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place steaks in hot pan, and cook for 1 minute on each side, or until browned. Reduce heat to medium-low, and add balsamic vinegar and red wine. Cover, and cook for 4 minutes on each side, basting with sauce when you turn the meat over.
• Remove steaks to two warmed plates, spoon one tablespoon of glaze over each, and serve immediately.

THE PERFECT FILET MIGNON

Steps:

• Pat the steaks dry, then sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Firmly press the seasoning into the meat.
• Heat the oil in a medium stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes. Add the steaks and cook until a golden crust forms, about 2 minutes. Flip with tongs and cook until golden on the second side, about 2 minutes (see Cook's Note). Flip again and cook for 2 minutes. Flip once more and add 4 tablespoons of the butter and the thyme and garlic. Let cook, undisturbed, until the butter stops foaming, 1 to 2 minutes. Tilt the pan slightly so the butter pools and spoon it over the steaks. Continue to cook the steaks, basting constantly, until they are medium rare and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 118 degrees F, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Transfer the steaks to a plate to rest. Discard the garlic, thyme and fat from the skillet, but do not wipe out the browned bits.
• Place the same skillet over medium heat and add the shallots and 1 tablespoon butter. Cook, scraping up the browned bits with a wooden spoon, until softened, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the brandy. Return the skillet to the heat and continue to cook over medium until the skillet is dry, being careful as it may ignite, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until the liquid reduces by half, about 3 minutes. Add the beef stock and bring to a boil. Whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• To serve, slice the steak, spoon the sauce over the top and sprinkle with the chives.