French Onion Beef Tenderloin Recipe

Festive eating at this time of year should not be restricted to holiday repasts. Simple yet special dinners with the immediate family or with a couple of friends call recipes like this.

We took the comforting flavors of French onion soup and turned them into an easy bistro-style steak dinner. Tender filet mignon gets smothered with sweet, caramelized onions and topped by a crispy, Swiss cheese-covered crostino. To double this recipe use two large skillets and prepare one 4-serving recipe in each. Serve with green beans and mashed potatoes with buttermilk and chives.

French Onion Beef Tenderloin

Ingredient:

• 1 pound beef tenderloin (filet mignon) or sirloin steak, 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches thick, trimmed and cut into 4 steaks
• 1/2 teaspoon minced dried onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup dry sherry (see note)
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 4 slices whole-grain baguette (1/2 inch thick), toasted
• 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese

Sprinkle steaks with dried onion, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steaks and reduce the heat to medium. Cook, turning once, until desired doneness, 3 to 6 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer the steaks to a plate and tent with foil.

Position a rack in upper third of oven. Preheat broiler.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add onions and sherry, cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and golden brown and the liquid has evaporated, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir to coat. Add broth, thyme and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook until bubbling and thickened, about 1 minute more.

Remove from the heat and return the steaks and any accumulated juice to the pan. Pile up some of the onions on top of the steaks. Top each steak with a slice of baguette and some cheese. Transfer the pan to the oven and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Serve the steaks with the onions and sauce.