Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Merlot Sauce

SERVINGS: 8

The luxurious red wine sauce relies on demiglace, reduced veal stock that's available at specialty food stores and by mail order from D'Artagnan (800-327-8246) or More Than Gourmet (800-860-9385). If you can't find demiglace, substitute a rich veal, beef or chicken stock; don't use canned broth.

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Merlot Sauce

10 medium shallots, thinly sliced
1 bottle (750 ml) Merlot
3 cups demiglace

Beef and vegetables

16 fingerling or small new potatoes
1 pint pearl onions (about 32), preferably red, blanched and peeled
3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt
16 baby carrots
3 medium Portobello mushrooms, stemmed
Olive oil, for brushing
Freshly ground pepper
Eight 5-ounce beef tenderloin fillets

herb salad

1 cup chervil sprigs
1 cup flat-leaf parsley sprigs, tough stems removed
1/2 cup very coarsely chopped chives
1/2 cup tarragon leaves
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Combine the shallots and wine in a heavy saucepan and boil over high heat until reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 45 minutes. Add the demiglace and boil until reduced to 2 cups, 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the sauce and return it to the saucepan.
Preheat the oven to 425°. Spread the potatoes in a medium baking dish and bake for 35 minutes, or until tender. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, cover the pearl onions with water. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter, the sugar and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the water has evaporated, about 20 minutes. Stir constantly until the onions are glazed and lightly browned, about 3 more minutes.
In a saucepan, cover the carrots with cold water. Add salt and bring to a boil over high heat. cook until just tender, about 7 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water and drain again. Melt the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter in the saucepan, add the carrots and sauté until warmed through. Add the onions.
Meanwhile, light a charcoal grill or preheat the broiler. Brush the mushrooms with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and grill or broil for about 7 minutes per side, or until tender and lightly charred. Let cool slightly, then slice the mushrooms. Season the beef with salt and pepper and grill or broil for about 5 minutes per side for rare meat.
In a bowl, combine the chervil, parsley, chives and tarragon. Add the oil and vinegar, season with salt and pepper and toss well.
Rewarm the potatoes in the oven and the onions and carrots on the stove. Reheat the sauce. Set a beef fillet on each plate, top with the herb salad and spoon the sauce around. Arrange the mushrooms, potatoes, onions and carrots alongside the beef and serve.

Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Merlot Sauce

Merlot Sauce

Beef and vegetables

herb salad

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