Beef Tenderloin Crostini with Sultana-Port Relish

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Photo: Ken Kochey
Servings:
12

This appetizer is nice way to begin a Christmas Eve meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 beef tenderloin (about 2 pounds), tied

  • 5 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

  • 2 small shallots minced (about ¼ cup)

  • ½ cup sultanas or other golden raisins

  • ¾ cup tawny port

  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

  • ½ small dried chile de arbol, crumbled

  • 1 sprig fresh thyme, plus ½ teaspoon chopped thyme leaves

  • 1 celery stalk, thinly sliced diagonally, plus 1 tablespoon celery leaves for garnish

  • 6 tablespoons mayonnaise

  • 2 teaspoons grainy mustard

  • 1 baguette (about 14 inches long), sliced diagonally ¼ inch thick

Directions

  1. Remove beef from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rub 1 teaspoon oil over beef, and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef on all sides until deep golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer skillet to oven, and cook until beef reaches desired doneness (135 degrees for medium-rare, about 15 minutes). Transfer to a cutting board, and let rest for 10 minutes. Thinly slice.

  2. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add shallots, and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add sultanas, port, vinegar, chile, and thyme sprig. Raise heat to medium-high, and simmer until thickened, about 8 minutes. Let cool slightly. Pulse one-quarter of the relish in a food processor until almost smooth. Return to pan, and stir in chopped thyme, celery, salt, and pepper.

  3. To serve, combine mayonnaise and mustard, and spread about 2 teaspoons on each slice of baguette. Top with a slice of beef, season with salt, and top with 1 teaspoon sultana-port relish. Garnish with celery leaves.

Cook's Notes

Relish can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days; bring to room temperature before serving.

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