If you want to make one wonderful dish for your party, make it beef tenderloin. Here are recipes for the main course and a fabulous Red Onion Jam. Then take a look at the four ways we’ve transformed this easy – but impressive – dish, for each of our Better Parties.
Serves: 10-12 people
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour (includes resting)
4-6 pound trimmed and tied beef tenderloin
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
1. As soon as you get your roast home from the butcher, liberally sprinkle it with salt, pepper and garlic powder; you also can use your favorite steak seasoning or rub. Wrap the roast back up and refrigerate, but take meat out at least 1 hour before cooking to let it come to room temperature.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
3. Put meat on a rack in a roasting pan and roast for about 40 minutes. A meat thermometer should read 125 degrees at the thickest part of meat for medium-rare and 135 degrees for medium.
4. Let rest for 15 minutes; carve and serve.
For An Elegant Dinner Party…
Roast tenderloin: Carve the tenderloin into thin slices and serve with Red Onion Jam and Bearnaise sauce on the side.
Additional items: Rosemary sprigs (for garnish) and Bearnaise Sauce.
For A Cocktail Party…
Tenderloin on a crisp: Serve the meat on a homemade potato pancake or even easier, use a frozen waffle fry, and bake it until really crisp. Top with Red Onion Jam, a dab of horseradish sauce and a sprig of rosemary.
Additional items: Homemade potato pancakes or Alexia Waffle Fries, horseradish sauce (1 cup sour cream and a teaspoon or two of prepared horseradish mixed in) and rosemary sprigs.
For A Bloody Mary Brunch…
Open-faced bagels: Carve the tenderloin and serve on a platter with bagels, cream cheese and Red Onion Jam.
Additional items: Mini-bagels and cream cheese
For A Family Buffet Party…
Tenderloin sliders: Carve the beef into thin slices and serve on dinner rolls with the Red Onion Jam and a dab of horseradish sauce.
Additional items: Dinner rolls, sour cream and prepared horseradish
