Filet Mignon with Blueberry Glaze Recipe
Filet mignon covered with a blueberry based sauce, inspired by Acqua Al 2 in Florence, Italy.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time25 minutes mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 2
- 2 8-10 ounce tenderloin beef filets roughly 2 inches thick
- vegetable or canola oil can use 2 tbsp butter but it has a lower smoke point
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 garlic clove whole, peeled
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
Blueberry glaze
- 2 cups blueberries fresh or frozen (mashed)
- 3/4 cup dry red wine I like Chianti
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic finely minced or pureed
- 1 tablespoon corn starch thickening agent
- salt to taste
Preheat the oven to 415°F. Remove the steak from the fridge 30 minutes prior to cooking, this is to bring the steak to room temperature and ensure your cooking times are more accurate. Season all sides liberally with salt and pepper. This can be done while your steak comes to room temp.
Add 1 tablespoon of oil (all you need is a very light coating) to an oven-safe cast iron skillet and turn the heat up high, allowing the skillet to become very hot. Twirl the pan to distribute oil as it heats. Once the oil starts to smoke, place the filets face down and sear undisturbed for 2 minutes. Flip the filets and sear for an additional 2 minutes. This will give your filets a nice seared edge.
Optionally add some herb butter and a whole garlic clove/herbs to the pan before transferring it to the oven. The butter will melt and the herbs will season the pan drippings for a later step. Transfer your skillet directly to the oven. [WARNING] skillet may be hot, handle it with oven mitts. For rare, bake for 4 minutes. Medium rare, 5-6 minutes. Medium, 6-7 minutes. Medium well, 8-9 minutes. Remember, depending on the size of the steak, the more or less time it will take. This recipe is ideal for an 8-10 ounce portion, roughly 1.5-2 inches thick. Optionally spoon some of the seasoned pan drippings over the steak to infuse it with extra flavor.
Remove filets from the skillet and set them on a plate and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. This is important to bring your steak to its final serving temperature.
Serve each filet topped with 3-4 tablespoons of blueberry sauce.
For the blueberry glaze
For the blueberry glaze: as the steaks are cooking, combine blueberry glaze ingredients (except the corn starch) in a small saucepan. Use a potato masher to crush the blueberries, breaking the skins so they can reduce down easier.
Gently simmer on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens, about 15 minutes. Stir in corn starch and immersion blend for a smoother consistency.
Remove from heat and let rest. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Top each steak with a generous serving of blueberry glaze or serve as a dipping sauce.
Cooking steaks at high temps in a skillet tends to get smokey. Open a kitchen window and turn on your kitchen's overhead vent fan before you start to help with ventilation.
If you don't have an oven-safe skillet or pan, sear the steaks first and then transfer them to a baking sheet lined with a wire rack. This method works really well at keeping your steaks elevated from the direct heat source but will also add additional cooking time to your oven duration. Plan on 2-3 additional minutes.
Temperatures for steak
Rare: 120°F to 125°F
Medium rare: 125°F to 130°F
Medium: 135°F to 140°F
Medium well: 145°F to 150°F
Well done: 160°F and above
Serving: 1steak | Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 14.4g | Protein: 25.3g | Fat: 19.5g | Saturated Fat: 10.3g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 214mg | Fiber: 1.3g | Sugar: 10.3g