Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon with Crumbled Gorgonzola

Ingredients

• 2 Harter House Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon

• Kosher or sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons Gorgonzola, crumbled

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a medium-sized oven-safe skillet.

Season filets with sea salt and cracked black pepper;

carefully add to hot oil, browning each side for 2 minutes.

Transfer skillet to oven and roast in pan for 12-15 minutes (medium-rare to medium). Remove from oven; let stand 4-5 minutes.

Top filets with a tablespoon each of crumbled Gorgonzola

and serve atop Pan-Roasted Cremini Mushrooms & Fennel Bulb. **

Serve with your

favorite Merlot

or Cabernet Sauvignon.

**Grilled Cremini Mushrooms and Fennel Salad Recipe

A fantastic winter salad featuring fresh fennel, grilled mushrooms, and a bright lemon basil vinaigrette.

Ingredients

Creamy Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette:

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 lemon, zested

2 tablespoons prepared mayonnaise

2 teaspoons honey

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup olive oil

1 lemon, cut in half and grilled, for garnish

Mushrooms:

1 pound cremini mushrooms, brushed clean of any grit

3 tablespoons canola oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 large fennel bulb, trimmed and cut into 1/8-inch thick slices

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

For the vinaigrette:

Combine lemon juice, zest, mayonnaise, honey, salt, pepper, basil and olive oil in a blender and blend until smooth. Can be made 1 hour in advance and refrigerated.

For the mushrooms:

Heat the grill to high.

Place the mushrooms in a large bowl, add the canola oil and salt and pepper and toss to coat. Skewer mushrooms, 4 on a skewer. Place the mushrooms on the grill, until golden brown and slightly charred, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn over and continue grilling until just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes longer. Remove from the grill to a cutting board and quarter.

Place the fennel and parsley in a large bowl, add half of the vinaigrette and toss to combine, season with salt and pepper. Top with the mushrooms and drizzle with more of the vinaigrette. Squeeze lemon juice over the salad and serve.

Filet Mignon with Rum-Red Chili Sauce or Cabernet Sauce

Do you enjoy a rich or spicy sauce served over your meats?

Here are a coupe of sauce ideas for your next meal.

You will find everything you need at Harter House

and Harter House World Flavors

Rum-Red Chili Sauce:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 shallots, minced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 cup dark rum (recommended: Meyers's)

5 cups chicken stock

2 tablespoons chili paste or puree

2 tablespoons molasses

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Melt the butter and olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until soft. Add the rum and reduce to 1/4 cup. Add the stock, bring to a boil and reduce the heat. Whisk in the remaining ingredients and simmer until reduced to 2 cups.

***************************************

Cabernet Sauce:

1 cup onion, chopped into 1-inch pieces

1/2 cup carrot, chopped into 1-inch pieces

1/2 cup celery, chopped into 1-inch pieces

1/4 cup olive oil

6 cloves garlic, crushed

2 bay leaves

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/4 cup good-quality Balsamic Vinegar

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 cups red wine (preferably Cabernet)

1 1/2 quarts veal stock or chicken stock

Salt and black pepper to taste

In a heavy-bottomed pot, cook the onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil over medium heat until well browned. Add the garlic, bay leaves, and tomato paste; cook 1 minute, stirring. Add the vinegars and wine, bring to a boil, and simmer until reduced by two-thirds. Add the veal or chicken stock, bring to a boil, and simmer, skimming occasionally, until reduced by two-thirds. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Cool and refrigerate if not using immediately.

Return the sauce to the heat and simmer until it lightly coats the back of a spoon. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.