The Art of Overachieving

Feel like being an overachiever/show off/braggart/martha stweart impersonater today? Try this recipe for Herb Garlic Beef Tenderloin:

Look for a tenderloin that has been peeled- a term meaning that the chain of fat-covered meat and connective tissue running alon the side of the tenderloin has been removed.  It may cost more per pound, but you'll be getting all usable meat and saving time and hassle of trimming it.
Ingredients

• 1 Sweet Pepper Sauce (recipe for this in an earlier blog post.  Here is the link: http://www.aprocrastinatingperfectionist.blogspot.com/)
• 1 4 - 5 pound beef tenderloin roast
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Prepare Sweet Pepper sauce: set aside. Trim any fat and silver skin (thin pearlescent membrane running along top of tenderloin) from tenderloin. Sprinkle garlic over tenderloin. For rub, in a small bowl combine salt, black pepper, and oregano. Sprinkle evenly over tenderloin; rub in with your fingers.

2. Place tenderloin on rack in shallow roasting pan. Roast, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes for medium-rare (135 degrees F) or 45 to 50 minutes for medium (150 degrees F). Transfer meat to platter. Cover loosely with foil and let stand 15 minutes before slicing. (Temperature of meat will rise 10 degrees more while standing.) Makes 12 servings plus leftovers.

Variation

Pizza:  Prepare as directed above. Thinly slice the roasted tenderloin. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spread Sweet Pepper Sauce on top of 4 to 6 thin 12-inch Italian bread shells (Boboli) or flatbread. Top each with tenderloin slices and toppings such as sliced mushrooms, sliced sweet peppers, halved cherry tomatoes, red onion wedges, and/or dried tomatoes. Sprinkle each with 3 to 4 ounces Swiss, dill Havarti, cheddar, or blue cheese. Bake 8 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with fresh herbs and shaved Parmesan cheese.

With roasted mushrooms: Prepare as directed above. While roasted tenderloin stands, prepare mushrooms. Toss 1 pound of halved mixed mushrooms with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread in shallow baking pan. Roast at 425 degrees F. for 15 minutes. Add to platter with tenderloin. Sprinkle with fresh oregano or thyme. Pass Sweet Pepper Sauce.

Sliders:  Prepare as directed above. Thinly slice tenderloin. Stir 1/4 cup prepared horseradish into Sweet Pepper Sauce. Place tenderloin slices on split cocktail buns and top with sliced radishes, watercress, and the Sweet Pepper-Horseradish Sauce. Note: Plan on 2 sliders per person. There's enough tenderloin and sauce to make about 48. Assemble as many as you need.

That my friends, is the art of overachieving!