Seared Beef Tenderloin with Orange and Olives

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. beef tenderloin, cut into 4 steaks (each about 3/4-inch thick)
• 4 large oranges
• 2 tsp. fennel seeds, crushed
• 2 tsp. black peppercorns, crushed
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives, quartered
• 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Makes 4 Servings

1. Season beef with salt and pepper. Let sit for 15 minutes.
2. Finely shred enough orange peel to make 2 teaspoons. In a small bowl, combine orange peel, fennel seeds, peppercorns, and salt. Sprinkle mixture evenly over beef. 
3. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat; add the meat. Reduce until desired doneness (135 F for medium-rare or 145 F for medium), turning once. Slice meat across the grain into thin slices.
4. Meanwhile, peel oranges, removing all of the white pith, Section oranges. In a large bowl, combine orange sections, red onion, olives, parsley, lemon juice, the 2 remaining tablespoons olive oil, garlic, and paprika. Stir gently to combine.
5. Add arugula to orange mixture; toss to combine. Divide arugula mixture among four dinner plates. Serve with sliced meat.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the New Sonoma Cookbook. This dish takes on vibrant flavors of citrus, olives and herbs. The beef is flavorful and juicy. If you don't want to sear the beef, grill it instead and it will be just as flavorful and juicy. The salad adds a lot of juicy flare to the dish. You can also use lamb in place of the beef and replace the arugula with spinach or kale and the dish will still be delicious. 

Peppered Beef Tenderloin with Port Wine Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. whole black peppercorns
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 (1-lb.) lean beef tenderloin, trimmed
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2/3 cup ruby port wine
• 2 tsp. whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 low-sodium beef broth
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp. unsalted butter

Makes 4 Servings (3 slices of beef & 2 tbsp. sauce per serving.)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2. Combine peppercorns, fennel seeds, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in small zip-close plastic bag; press out air and seal bag. With meat mallet or rolling pin, pound until crushed. Spread spice mixture on sheet of wax paper. Roll tenderloin in spice mixture until coated, pressing so it adheres.
3. Heat oil in small heavy flameproof roasting pan over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes.
4. Transfer pan to oven and roast until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of beef registers 145 F, about 30 minutes. Transfer to cutting board and let stand 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, to make sauce, spray roasting pan with nonstick spray and set over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Whisk in broth, mustard, and remaining 1/ 4 teaspoon salt; bring to boil. Cook, stirring, until sauce bubbles and thickens, about 4 minutes longer. Remove pan from heat; swirl in butter until melted. Cut beef against grain into 12 slices and serve with sauce.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. This is what I like to call elegant entertaining during the winter solstice. Who doesn't love beef with red wine? If you don't have beef tenderloin on hand, use sirloin steak and broil or grill the steak instead. If you have a food processor or a spice grinder, put the spice mixture into the machine and grind it so it looks like a spice rub. I highly recommend mixing minced garlic with the spice mixture for a more aromatic flavor. The red wine sauce add a touch of zing to the beef. It goes great with potatoes and vegetables too.