Pepper Crusted Tenderloin With Mushroom Cream and Asparagus

(from saymyname’s recipe box)

Source: Rachael Ray

Serves 4 people

Ingredients

3/4 lb asparagus, trimmed at stem (fat stems should be peeled down a bit as well)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra
extra virgin olive oil, for liberal drizzling
salt, to taste
4 beef tenderloin steaks, about 1 pound total (1-inch thick, 3-4-inch round)
4 teaspoons coarse black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
6 white mushroom caps, very thinly sliced
1/3 c. marsala
2/3 cup cream
fresh parsley leaves or fresh chives, chopped, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Spread asparagus on small baking sheet and dress with a liberal drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt.
Roast the spears in a hot oven until tender and ends are crisp and slightly brown at edges, about 10-12 minutes.
Asparagus should remain bright green.
Take the chill off the meat, then pour the black pepper onto a small plate.
Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high to high heat.
When oil smokes, press each steak into pepper to coat then place peppered side down in the skillet.
Sear and carmelize the meat 3-4 minutes, turn and cook 2 minutes more for rare, 3 minutes for pink.
While the meat cooks, heat a small skillet over medium flame and melt then butter.
Add mushrooms and lightly saute them for 4 to 5 minutes.
Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper and add marsala wine to the pan. Be careful of flare ups.
You may want to add the liquor off the stove top then return the skillet to the heat.
Reduce the liquid by half, cooking off the alcohol and concentrating the flavor, then stir in the cream and warm it through. Reduce heat a bit and let sauce thicken 2 to 3 minutes.
Spoon sauce over meat and serve with asparagus alongside.

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