1. Food & Drink
Beef fillet is quick-roasted and then flamed with cognac and served with pan juices.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

  • Fillet of beef, 5 to 6 pounds trimmed weight
  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • Salt
  • 1/3 cup cognac or armagnac
  • Butter
  • Chopped parsley

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Rub the beef fillet well with olive oil and freshly ground pepper.

Place on a well-oiled rack in a rather shallow roasting pan. Roast at 400 degrees F to 450 degrees F (205 degrees C to 235 degrees C) about 35 minutes or until it has achieved an internal temperature of 125 degrees F (52 degrees C). Brush with oil occasionally if necessary.

When done, salt the roast and let it rest 10 minutes. Just before carving, blaze the roast with warmed cognac. Add a little butter, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve with the pan juices. Broiled tomatoes and watercress make nice accompaniments.

Yield: 6 servings

Recipe Source: James Beard's American Cookery by James Beard (Little Brown & Co.)
Reprinted with permission.

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