Individual Beef Wellington

Individual Beef Wellington

By, John M. Goralka
Sacramento, CA

This delightful recipe is for all beef wellington enthusiasts who don't need to cook for a large crowd. These individual beef wellingtons are perfect for holiday meal practice runs or a romantic date night at home. Imagine succulent filet mignons wrapped in delicate prosciutto, earthy duxelles, and flaky puff pastry, all baked to perfection in your oven.

The beauty of this dish lies not only in its exquisite flavors but also in its stunning presentation. The savory richness of the beef, complemented by the crispy, golden pastry, creates a harmony of tastes and textures that is truly unforgettable. Each bite is an experience, from the buttery pastry to the tender, juicy beef and the savory mushroom filling.

Indulge in the culinary elegance of beef wellington without the stress of cooking for a large group. Give it a try and enjoy a gourmet meal that's both luxurious and manageable. 

Total Time: 1-2.5 hours

• Prep Time: 30-90 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-60 minutes

Servings: Two (2)

INGREDIENTS

• Two (2) Filet Mignons
• Open Fire BPS Rub (or your favorite dry rub) to taste
• Avocado oil or any neutral oil
• Dijon mustard

• 8 oz mushrooms minced
• 2 shallots minced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1-2 Thyme sprigs leaves only
• 1 tbsp Butter
• 1 splash Red wine
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

• 1/3 lb prosciutto
• 2 puff pastry sheets
• 1 egg beaten
• Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Filet Mignons

1. Remove the filet mignons from the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature. Generously season all sides with the spice rub.
2. Heat some oil in a pan over medium-high to high heat. Sear all sides of the filet mignons until a brown crust has formed. This should take a few minutes per side. Remove from heat and put on a rack with a tray or paper towels under it.
3. While still hot, brush dijon mustard all over each filet mignon. Allow to rest and cool.

Duxelles

1. In the same pan, add the minced mushrooms, shallots, garlic, thyme, butter, and red wine. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Stirring occasionally, cook until the duxelles moisture is gone and you are left with a dried paste like mixture. This could take up to 30 minutes or longer.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Beef Wellington Compilation

1. Place a layer of plastic wrap on a table or counter. If necessary, use multiple pieces to make sure there is enough to completely wrap and cover the length and width of each filet mignon.
2. Lay pieces of prosciutto on the plastic wrap. Overlap the pieces so that there will be enough to wrap and cover a filet mignon. Evenly spread a layer of the duxelles over the prosciutto.
3. Place a filet mignon on top of the duxelles/prosciutto/plastic wrap and roll it until it is tightly wrapped up. Twist the ends of the plastic wrap to make sure it is very tight. Place in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to allow it to "set". Repeat with remaining filet mignons.
4. Place a new layer of plastic wrap down and lay a piece of puff pastry down (again, enough to be able to wrap a filet mignon). Place the prosciutto-wrapped filet mignon on the puff pastry and completely wrap it up. Make sure to enclose the ends of the filet mignon as well. Twist the ends of the plastic wrap to tighten. Place in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. Repeat with remaining filet mignons.

Cooking the Wellingtons

1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF.
2. Place the puff pastry-wrapped filet mignons on a tray that's covered with foil. Brush all over with a beaten egg and sprinkle salt on top.
3. Bake for about 25 minutes to get medium-rare. Double check the internal temperature for 135ºF for medium-rare.
4. Allow to rest 10 minutes. Enjoy!

NOTES

I know there are a lot of steps and this can be a time consuming recipe, but it’s worth it. You could even do all of the steps up to and including wrapping it in the puff pastry ahead of time – just make sure to refrigerate it. 

Enjoy! 😋

Recipe courtesy of: https;//bbqopenfire.com/individual-beef-wellington/

John Goralka is the lead attorney and founder of the Goralka Law Firm, P.C., and is an experienced Sacramento estate planning and tax planning lawyer. For help in Sacramento with estate planning, business planning or tax planning, please contact our office.