Classic Beef Wellington
Classic Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington is the crown jewel of British cuisine, named after the Duke of Wellington. This show-stopping dish features a premium beef tenderloin coated with pate and mushroom duxelles, wrapped in puff pastry and baked to golden perfection. While it requires some technique, the result is absolutely worth the effort - a crispy exterior giving way to succulent, perfectly cooked beef.
Ingredients
- 2 lb beef tenderloin, center-cut
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- For the Duxelles:
- 1 lb cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
- 2 shallots, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- For Assembly:
- 6 slices prosciutto
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 2 egg yolks, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Sear the beef: Season the tenderloin generously with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Sear the beef on all sides until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Let cool, then brush with Dijon mustard.
- Make the duxelles: In the same pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic, cook for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and thyme, cook until all moisture evaporates, about 15 minutes. Add wine and cook until dry. Season and let cool completely.
- Prepare the wrap: Lay plastic wrap on your counter. Arrange prosciutto slices in an overlapping layer. Spread the cooled duxelles evenly over the prosciutto.
- Roll the beef: Place the beef at one end and roll tightly using the plastic wrap, twisting the ends to form a tight cylinder. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Wrap in pastry: Roll out puff pastry to fit around the beef. Remove plastic wrap and place beef on pastry. Roll up, sealing the edges with egg wash. Trim excess pastry.
- Score and rest: Score the top decoratively with a sharp knife. Brush with egg wash. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bake: Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake for 25-30 minutes until pastry is golden and internal temperature reaches 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare.
- Rest and serve: Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with your choice of sauce.
Chef's Tips
- The duxelles must be completely dry or the pastry will become soggy.
- Chilling the wrapped beef helps it hold its shape during baking.
- Use an instant-read thermometer for perfect doneness.
- Let the beef rest before slicing to redistribute the juices.
- Serve with a red wine reduction or Madeira sauce.