Individual Beef Wellingtons
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 hrs
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Cook Time
2 hrs 10 mins
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Total Time
7 hrs 10 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
1670 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
American
Individual Beef Wellingtons
Description
This recipe begins by mixing soft butter with crumbled gorgonzola cheese and chopped fresh rosemary, rolled into a log and chilled. Beef tenderloin filets are trimmed, tied if needed to hold shape, then seasoned and seared quickly in hot fat to develop a browned crust while keeping the inside pink. The same pan is used to slowly caramelize thinly sliced onions over low heat for about 45 minutes until sweet and golden.
The filets are cooled and then wrapped in puff pastry along with a layer of the gorgonzola compound butter and caramelized onions, then brushed with egg wash. Some preparations include a chilled phase to help maintain proper beef doneness while baking. The Wellingtons bake until pastry is golden and internal temperature reaches around 120°F for rare or 130°F for medium rare, yielding tender, moist beef encased in a flaky crust with rich, savory fillings.
This dish requires time and multiple steps but can be made ahead and frozen before baking. Freezing improves control over cooking the beef center correctly. It's suited for special meals where individual servings and elegant presentation are desired.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 4 oz gorgonzola cheese crumbles
- 3 rosemary leaves chopped, sprigs, fresh
- 3 lbs beef tenderloin filets (4 filet - 2 inches thick)
- 3 tbsp bacon fat (or olive oil, or butter)
- salt
- black pepper
- 1 yellow onion (large, thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 heets puff pastry
- 2 egg beaten (separated
- 2 tsp of water separated
Instructions
Compound Butter
- Let butter come to room temperature and place in a bowl with the Gorgonzola crumbles.
- Chop the rosemary and mix in with butter and Gorgonzola cheese. With a spatula incorporate all the ingredients and fold onto a sheet of wax paper. Roll the butter mixture into a cylindrical shape working with the wax paper. Twist the edges and refrigerate until firm.
Wellingtons
- Trim the fat off the filet and use kitchen twine to tie in a circle to hold it’s shape if needed. Season with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. Sear both sides to seal in juices quickly in a hot pan with bacon fat, olive oil or butter (about 2 minutes a side). You want the outside caramelized and browned (not grey, that means your pan is not hot enough) and the inside pink. Allow meat to rest and cool.
- In the same pan add the sliced onions and 2 tablespoons of butter and slowly brown and caramelize. This takes about 45 minutes on low. Do not burn and stir often. Set aside and cool.
- Allow puff pastry sheets to come to room temperature.
- Remove compound butter from refrigerator, unroll from plastic wrap and slice two 1/4 inch rounds per filet. Roll up and refrigerate the remaining compound butter.
Assembly
- Assemble with puff pastry sheets rolled in a rectangle. Slice in half to make 2 squares. In the center of each sheet top with 2 slices of the bleu cheese rosemary compound butter, a quarter of the caramelized onions, then the seared filet. BE SURE TO CUT AND REMOVE THE KITCHEN TWINE if you've tied your filet.
- Gently fold the puff pastry up and around the Wellington stack of ingredients, trimming the excess and keeping things as smooth as possible. Set each one seam side down on a tray lined with parchment paper that will fit in your freezer easily. Put any cut out puff pastry decorations on top and brush with egg wash and repeat the entire process with other filet.
- Place the dish with the Wellingtons in the freezer and after 1 hour cover with plastic wrap and continue to freeze for 4 hours or up to five days. (See Note 1)
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Beat the other egg in a small bowl and set aside. Remove the Wellingtons from the freezer (do not thaw) and brush each with a fresh coat of egg wash. Put them on a lightly greased heavy rimmed baking sheet OR with a Silpat silicone sheet OR parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350°F and bake another 30 to 35 minutes. Using a meat thermometer - the internal temperature should be 120°F for a rosy, moist filet and 130°F for medium rare. Remove from oven, set aside and rest for 10 minutes. Cut each Wellington in half, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Freezing assembled Wellingtons before baking helps keep the beef center from overcooking.
- Check internal temperature aiming for 120°F for rare, 130°F for medium rare for best texture.
- Caramelize onions slowly over low heat to develop sweetness without burning.
- Tie beef to maintain shape during searing and baking if necessary.
- This recipe requires planning due to multiple steps but can be prepared ahead.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1670 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1670kcal | 84% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 93g | 186% |
| Fat | 116g | 178% |
| Saturated Fat | 48g | 240% |
| Cholesterol | 407mg | 136% |
| Sodium | 1189mg | 50% |
| Potassium | 1422mg | 30% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1220IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 2.1mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 262mg | 26% |
| Iron | 9.1mg | 51% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.