(for two) – if you prepare the sauce ahead of time, it is a very swift and easy go..
- 1 pasilla chile (1 ounce)
- 3 ripe plum tomatoes
- 1/4 large white onion
- 1 or 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 2 beef tenderloin steaks (filet mignons), 6 ounces (12 dag) each, perfectly trimmed, leaving just the thick round of meat
- Salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 teaspoons peanut oil (or olive oil)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/3 cup Avocado Relish (please see recipe for ingredients)
- 2 tablespoons grated Cotija cheese (or dried feta cheese)
toast and seed the chilli
- on a hot frying pan place the chilli, turning ever so often until the aroma comes through.
- Let them cool
- Remove the seeding part and shake out the seeds
- Reserve the rest
Prepare the sauce:
- Place the onions and garlic, on them tomatoes, and place under the HOT grill in the oven (object is to char them)
- Let them blister for about 15 minutes, shaking occasionally
- Cool slightly and place in the blender (food processor)
- Pour the stock into the pan, scrape up the leftovers, and add to the food processor
- Blend for a few minutes until well mixed (leave some lumps..)
Sear the steaks
- Dry the meat with paper towels
- Salt and pepper them
- Pour some peanut oil into a hot frying pan
- Sear the meat (do not cook) few minutes at each side; make sure the steaks have much room and do not crowd one another
- Set aside on the plate
Finish the sauce
- On a dry frying pan heat up the sauce, stirring with the wooden spoon – include any caramelized meat juice
- Add spices (salt, pepper, sugar) as required and simmer for 20 minutes – if necessary add some liquid (water, stock)-
You can have this prepared about 1 hour ahead of serving time
Finish the steaks
- As the sauce simmers add cilantro
- Gently place the steaks into the sauce – do not let them boil – and spoon hot sauce over the meat continuously. For medium rare you need about 305 minutes
serve
- Place steak in the centre of a plate
- Spoon sauce over the meat
- Place some avocado relish on top
- Sprinkle with grated cheese