Peppercorn Beef with Gorgonzola Cheese

• Recipe by Jamie Samford

Ingredients

1. Four 5-ounce trimmed beef tenderloin steaks, about 2 inches thick
2. Salt
3. 1 tablespoon crushed black peppercorns
4. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
5. 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
6. 1 teaspoon sugar
7. 1/4 pound Gorgonzola cheese, cut into pieces

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Generously season the tenderloin steaks with salt and pat the crushed peppercorns all over them. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil. Add the steaks and cook them over moderately high heat until they are browned, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the steaks to a rimmed baking sheet and roast them in the oven for about 12 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of 1 of the steaks registers 130° for medium-rare meat. 
2. Meanwhile, wipe out the skillet with a paper towel. Add the balsamic vinegar and the sugar and boil over high heat until the vinegar is reduced to 1/3 cup, about 3 minutes. 
3. Top the tenderloin steaks with the Gorgonzola cheese and roast them for 2 minutes longer, or until the Gorgonzola is just melted. Transfer the tenderloin steaks to plates, drizzle them all over with the balsamic reduction and serve right away.