Gorgonzola- and Mushroom-Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Merlot Sauce

Portions:8
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Ingredients

STUFFED TENDERLOIN

  • 1 beef tenderloin 2½ lb
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms 3 oz
  • 1 cup soft bread crumbs about 1½ slices bread
  • ½ cup crumbled Gorgonzola or Roquefort cheese 2 oz
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher or sea salt

MERLOT SAUCE

  • ½ cup currant jelly
  • ½ cup Merlot Zinfandel or nonalcoholic red wine
  • ¼ cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 425°F.
  • Place tenderloin on cutting board.
  • With long knife, cut horizontally through long side of tenderloin, halfway up side of meat, stopping approximately ½ inch from other side.
  • Open beef as if opening a book.
  • Cover with plastic wrap or waxed paper.
  • Pound beef with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until uniformly ¼ inch thick.
  • In 10-inch skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat.
  • Cook mushrooms in butter, stirring occasionally, until tender and liquid has evaporated.
  • Cool 5 minutes.
  • Add bread crumbs, cheese and parsley; toss to combine.
  • Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over beef to within 1 inch of edges.
  • Tightly roll up, beginning with long side.
  • Turn small end of beef under about 6 inches so it cooks evenly.
  • Tie with kitchen string at 1½-inch intervals.
  • Place beef, seam side down, on rack in shallow roasting pan.
  • Brush with oil; sprinkle with salt.
  • Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in center of thickest part of beef.
  • Bake uncovered 30 to 40 minutes or until thermometer reads at least 140°F.
  • Cover loosely with foil; let stand about 15 minutes or until thermometer reads 145°F.
  • Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat sauce ingredients to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat to low.
  • Simmer uncovered 35 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly reduced and syrupy.
  • Remove string from beef before slicing.
  • Serve with sauce.

Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:

Make-Ahead Magic

Take the stress out of last-minute prep by making the sauce up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate in a microwavable serving bowl until serving time. When ready to serve, microwave on High 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring occasionally, until hot. (Sauce may have thickened. To thin sauce, stir in an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of wine or beef broth if desired.)

Festive Touch

For an easy and seasonal garnish, arrange fresh sprigs of rosemary on the platter with the meat.
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Course Beef / Cheese / Main Dish
Holliday Christmas