Beef Fillets with Cognac-Onion Sauce

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Recipe from Southern Living, FEBRUARY 2006.

  • 2

Ingredients

  • 2 (6- to 8-ounce) beef fillets
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
  • 1 small yellow onion, sliced and separated into rings
  • 1 small red onion, sliced and separated into rings
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped
  • 6 shallots, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup cognac (¼ cup red wine or beef broth may be substituted for cognac)
  • 1/4 cup beef broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Step 1

Sprinkle beef evenly with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Brown fillets in hot oil in an ovenproof or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat 3 minutes on each side. Remove fillets, reserving drippings in skillet.

Melt butter in drippings over medium-high heat. Add yellow and red onion rings, and sauté 5 minutes.

Add green onions, shallots, and garlic, and sauté 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Stir in cognac and broth; cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until liquid evaporates (about 5 minutes). Place fillets on top of onion mixture in skillet. Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake at 400° for 15 to 20 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion of meat registers 135° (medium rare).

Remove fillets from skillet, reserving onion mixture in skillet; cover fillets loosely, and let stand at room temperature 10 minutes.

Cook onion mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, 5 minutes or until liquid evaporates.
Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with fillets.