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Simple Beef Wellington for Two

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Simple Beef Wellington looks impressive. It’s a flaky puff pastry crust wrapped around a juicy beef filet that also is perfectly slathered with mushrooms and prosciutto. Top it off with an easy-peasy stock full of flavor red wine sauce…. That special someone will definitely love you for this recipe.

 

Simple Beef Wellington looks impressive. It’s a flaky puff pastry crust wrapped around a juicy beef filet that also is perfectly slathered with mushrooms and prosciutto. Top it off with an easy-peasy stock full of flavor red wine sauce…. That special someone will definitely love you for this recipe.

I have always loved Hell’s Kitchen. I know I’ve talked about my fascination with this show and how Gordon always yells at the contestants. I’ve always been kind of intimidated by his Beef Wellington.

I was afraid of baking a beautiful (and yes, kind of expensive) beef tenderloin. I tend to like things pretty rare and the prospect of ruining a great cut of meat had always been what had stopped me from making this.

What Is Beef Wellington?

  • Beef Wellington is a filet of beef baked in a pastry crust.
  • It has either a mushroom mixture (duxelles) or a meat mixture (pate) or foie gras in between the tenderloin and the pastry crust.
  • The dish was named after the Duke of Wellington, the man who defeated Napoleon.

It’s inspired by Gordon Ramsay’s recipe…. It’s so delicious … I mean is there anything better than savory, flaky puff pastry? It goes wonderfully with the perfectly cooked fillet and the mushrooms and prosciutto compliment everything.

Simple Beef Wellington looks impressive. It’s a flaky puff pastry crust wrapped around a juicy beef filet that also is perfectly slathered with mushrooms and prosciutto. Top it off with an easy-peasy stock full of flavor red wine sauce…. That special someone will definitely love you for this recipe.

The photographs of the Simple Beef Wellington I show here are from the one I had leftover…so it’s a little more well done than the ones my husband and I ate.

Tips for Making Simple Beef Wellington:

  • Use a thermometer to get your meat to the right temperature.  That intimidation I had making this recipe about not overcooking the expensive Fillet? Completely a non-issue; I used an oven thermometer. (This is the one I used… it’s nothing fancy, but it sure is effective.)
  • Be sure and let the puff pastry thaw out according to what ever the brand you use says to. This will save your pastry from breaking/cracking and will be the difference in a meal that looks picture perfect and one that is kind of pieced together. (Either way, it will taste amazing!)
  • Watch this Video to see the how to steps in making this recipe. ( This video is from my Appetizer Recipe for Beef Wellington.

 

  • Pair this with a Cabernet or Pinot Noir. Those wines are a little bit bolder and are an excellent choice with the tenderloin. (I used the same wine we drank with dinner to make the sauce.)

Looking for other recipes to make for a special occasion?  Check out some of my other recipes to impress your guests!

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Fancy Bouillabaisse is full of shrimp, lobster, crab and all the good things that make a great romantic meal! Ready in less than 45 minutes is just a bonus!

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Simple Beef Wellington looks impressive. It’s a flaky puff pastry crust wrapped around a juicy beef filet that also is perfectly slathered with mushrooms and prosciutto. Top it off with an easy-peasy stock full of flavor red wine sauce…. That special someone will definitely love you for this recipe.

Look at those mushroom duxelles between the beef and flaky pastry! YUM!

5 from 4 votes
Print
Simple Beef Wellington for Two
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
 
Simple Beef Wellington looks impressive. It’s a flaky puff pastry crust wrapped around a juicy beef filet that also is perfectly slathered with mushrooms and prosciutto. Top it off with an easy-peasy stock full of flavor red wine sauce…. That special someone will definitely love you for this recipe.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef wellington recipe, romantic dinner recipe
Servings: 2
Calories: 1680 kcal
Author: Michele Hall
Ingredients
  • !WELLINGTON
  • 2 - 9 oz beef filet cut 1.5" thick trimmed of all fat (save any fat for reduction sauce)
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 box frozen puff pastry recipe only uses one of the two in the package
  • 1 clam shell mushrooms (see notes), minced finely
  • 1/2 shallot minced
  • 1 clove of garlic minced
  • 2-4 slices of prosciutto
  • 3 Tablespoons Butter
  • 1 Teaspoon Dried Tarragon
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • !EGG WASH
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 Tablespoon Butter
RED WINE REDUCTION SAUCE (recipe below)
    Instructions
    1. Before you do anything, read the instructions on the puff pastry about thawing it. Have the puff pastry completely thawed and rolled out before starting on the rest of the recipe. I have found that most store bought puff pastry comes with 2 packages, for this recipe you will only need one of them.
    2. Set thawed and rolled out pastry on flour dusted parchment paper until needed.
    3. Heat a skillet to high, then add olive oil to pan and swirl to coat the bottom.
    4. While the pan is heating up, season the beef with salt and pepper generously.
    5. Once pan is hot and oil in pan, sear both sides of beef for 60-90 seconds on each side.
    6. Remove filet to plate to cool, 15 minutes. (you will use this pan for the reduction sauce)
    7. Reduce heat to medium, add butter, shallots and garlic and saute until shallots are translucent.
    8. Add mushrooms and tarragon and stir often. Continue to cook until all liquid is released from the mushrooms and completely evaporates. This can take up to 20 minutes or so.
    9. Remove mushrooms from pan and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
    10. While mushrooms are cooling you can start the reduction sauce. (see below)
    11. While mushrooms are cooling, lay two pieces of plastic wrap side by side, large enough to be able to wrap the beef after preparing it.
    12. Then lay the prosciutto (1-2 pieces for each filet) in the center of the plastic wrap.
    13. Now in the center of the prosciutto, about the same size as the piece of filet spread half of the mushroom mixture evenly.
    14. Then place the tenderloin on top of the mushrooms.
    15. Wrap the rest of the prosciutto tightly to encase the filet.
    16. Then wrap the plastic wrap tightly around entire filet.
    17. Place in the fridge to set for 30 minutes minimum. (if its longer it is no problem)
    18. You will now be placing the proscuitoo/mushroom wrapped filet over the puff pastry to form a bread casing on all sides.
    19. Cut the sheet of puff pastry in 1/2
    20. In the center of one of the pieces of puff pastry, place the mushroom side down. Take the edges and fold them over tightly sealing securely. You can cut off any excess pastry.
    21. Now again place each pastry/filet in a separate piece of plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
    22. Preheat oven to 400*
    23. Remove Pastry wrapped filets from plastic wrap and place the sealing side down(mushrooms will be on the top) on a baking sheet at least 2 inches apart.
    24. Brush tops with Egg wash. Then cut a small X in the center for venting.
    25. Bake for 15-20 minutes depending on how you want your meat served (120 for rare, 140 for Medium 155 for well done)
    26. You can either cut in 1/2 as I pictured it or leave it whole. Serve atop the red wine reduction sauce below.

    Recipe Video

    Recipe Notes

    This recipe is quite easy to make, but it does have a lot of resting and chilling time in between steps. I find it easier to prepare this up to the baking stage the day before I am going to serve it. The read wine reduction can be made ahead or the day you are serving it.

     

     

    5 from 4 votes
    Simple Beef Wellington looks impressive. It’s a flaky puff pastry crust wrapped around a juicy beef filet that also is perfectly slathered with mushrooms and prosciutto. Top it off with an easy-peasy stock full of flavor red wine sauce…. That special someone will definitely love you for this recipe.
    Print
    Red Wine Reduction Sauce
    Prep Time
    10 mins
    Cook Time
    25 mins
    Total Time
    35 mins
     
    Easy reduction for not only this beef wellington recipe but for any steak you make.
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: American, French
    Keyword: red wine sauce for steak, red wine reduction
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 54 kcal
    Author: Michele Hall
    Ingredients
    • 1/2 Shallot minced
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • any trimmings from fillet
    • 1 cup full bodied red wine (cabernet or pinot noir)
    • 1.5 cups Chicken broth or beef
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 2 tablespoons chilled butter cut to small pieces
    • salt and pepper to taste
    Instructions

    1. On medium high heat, In the pan you seared the steak in, add 1 tablespoon additional olive oil, minced shallots, garlic and any leftover fat trimmings.

    2. Saute until shallots are translucent.

    3. Deglaze the pan with wine and reduce liquid to half the amount.

      Add in the stock and continue to cook for 15-20 minute, until liquid reduces to half the amount.

      Turn heat off.

    4. You can either just remove the bay leaf and fat pieces or you can strain everything out. (If you strain everything out add the butter before straining.) Stir butter/sauce until all butter is incorporated.

      Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    5. Spoon onto the plate then place beef atop of the sauce.

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    Comments

    11. Ashleigh says

      February 18, 2016 at 11:41 am

      I have two friends that love making this. I will have to see what my boyfriend thinks of it, we are constantly talking about it when we watch Gordon Ramsey.

      Reply

      • WESTVIAMIDWEST.COM says

        February 17, 2016 at 8:10 pm

        I agree… although I think I would crumble being screamed at by Gordon! But I do love to watch the drama! ~m

        Reply

    15. OurFamilyWorld says

      February 17, 2016 at 6:13 pm

      I love Beef Wellington, but I’ve never tried making it on my own. You make it look so simple. I would love to try this.

      Reply

    16. Beeb Ashcroft says

      February 17, 2016 at 3:05 pm

      Oh my gosh, this looks fabulous! I’ve been searching for a few more recipes using beef that I could try, just to switch things up and do dinner differently. I saved this link and sent it to my husband! Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply

    19. Amy Jones says

      February 17, 2016 at 11:30 am

      I love beef wellington it is one of my favorites in the world! I’ll be taking your advices since it is a really hard technique to master

      Reply

      • WESTVIAMIDWEST.COM says

        February 17, 2016 at 12:59 pm

        I promise that it is much easier than you’ve been lead to believe previously…. I was AMAZED at how easy peasy it was~~ 🙂 ~m

        Reply

    20. Debra says

      February 17, 2016 at 9:38 am

      This sounds absolutely delicious! My husband would love this for dinner tomorrow, going to have to run to get the ingredients!

      Reply

    21. Carolyn says

      February 17, 2016 at 8:39 am

      I’m not much of a red meat person, but this is totally something my mom would LOVE. I’ll add this to the million recipes I’ve found on Pinterest and have emailed to her 😄

      Reply

    22. Heather says

      February 17, 2016 at 6:29 am

      I have never had this before! We aren’t big meat eaters in our home, but I do love a good steak once in a while. I might have to give this a try!

      Reply

      • WESTVIAMIDWEST.COM says

        February 17, 2016 at 7:15 am

        Thanks Mark~ It was so good, but I don’t think I can wait a whole year to have it again. My husband is already asking for it! ~m

        Reply

    26. Colette says

      February 16, 2016 at 5:02 pm

      OMG looks so delicious! I used to waitress in fine dining and this dish always intimidated me, especially when people ordered it in varying temperatures! I may have to try your version!

      Reply

    28. Whitney says

      February 16, 2016 at 1:14 pm

      I think Gordon is the master of all things food. I’ve heard rave reviews about his beef wellington..but I know if I ever tried to make it myself he’d somehow pop into my kitchen and tell me all the things I’ve done wrong. Looks like you did it, though!

      Reply

      • WESTVIAMIDWEST.COM says

        February 16, 2016 at 2:08 pm

        Ha! My husband came in while I was making this and asked me if I wanted him to scream at me like Gordon? Too funny! ~m

        Reply

    29. Ana De- Jesus says

      February 16, 2016 at 1:11 pm

      I have to admit that beef wellington looks delicious and I don’t even eat meat lol! I would love to make a veggie version with Quorn!

      Reply

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