RECIPE of the Day - 1/29/2007

This is the perfect romantic dinner because Chateaubriand, invented by the chef of the nineteenth-century French author Francois Chateaubriand, is classically prepared for two. Traditionally, Chateaubriand is served with béarnaise sauce and Chateau potatoes. Preparing the potatoes may seem like a lot of work, but this is a special meal and well worth the extra effort.


Chateaubriand with Chateau potatoes and Lobster Tails


For the Chateau Potatoes:

1 pound russet potatoes, peeled
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons minced parsley


For the Bearnaise Sauce:

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon dry white wine
1 tablespoon minced shallots
1 tablespoon minced tarragon
3 black peppercorns, cracked
2 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 teaspoon minced chervil


For the Chateaubriand:

1 pound center-cut beef tenderloin, prime or choice grade, side muscle removed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, mashed to a paste


For the Lobster:

2 frozen lobster tails, about 8 ounces each, thawed
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 garlic cloves, mashed to a paste


TO PREPARE THE CHATEAU POTATOES:
Cut the potatoes about 3/4 inch wide by 3/4 inch deep and 1 inch long. Carve each piece into the shape of an olive (relatively uniform pieces will cook evenly). Melt the butter over medium-low heat in a large nonstick sauté pan. Add the potatoes and sauté for about 15 minutes, or until light golden brown and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss with the parsley. Keep warm.


TO PREPARE THE BEARNAISE SAUCE:
Combine the vinegar, wine, shallots, 2 teaspoons of the tarragon, and peppercorns in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and reduce the liquid by half. Let cool until lukewarm. Transfer to the top of a double boiler set over briskly simmering water, and add the egg yolks and lemon juice, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens to the consistency of heavy cream. Add the butter and whisk until the sauce thickens again. Season with salt and pepper and strain the sauce into a clean saucepan; thin with a little water if necessary. Keep warm, and just before serving, stir in the remaining tarragon and the chervil.


TO PREPARE THE CHATEAUBRIAND:
Preheat the broiler. Season the steak with salt and pepper, and place in a shallow bowl. Combine 1 tablespoon of the olive oil with the garlic and spread over the entire steak. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon on olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak on all sides for about 4 minutes, or until browned. Transfer to the lowest rack of the broiler and broil for about 10 minutes longer for medium-rare or 12 minutes longer for medium. Remove from the broiler and let rest about 5 minutes before cutting


FOR THE LOBSTER:
Remove the shell from the lobster tail meat and season the lobster with salt and pepper. Combine the butter and garlic and spread on the lobster meat. Place the lobster on a broiler pan and broil on the lowest rack of the broiler for about 7 minutes, or util the lobster is just cooked through.


TO SERVE:
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of bearnaise sauce onto the center of warm dinner plates and spread out to make a 3-inch circle. Cut the Chateaubriand in half and place it cut side down onto the béarnaise sauce. Place the lobster beside the Chateaubriand so that it curls around the steak. Arrange the potatoes on the other side of the steak. Spoon more béarnaise sauce over the steak and along the length of the lobster. Drizzle extra béarnaise around the edge of the plate, if desired.


WINE RECOMMENDATION:
This combination of lobster and Chateaubriand presents some interesting wine possibilities. Our first choice, given the special occasion, is a great champagne form France or a sparkling wine from California. If you are looking for wines to match the food, try either a Sauvignon Blanc from California or a Pouilly Fume from the Loire Valley in France. If you prefer red wine, choose a West Coast Pinot Noir or a French Burgundy.


HELPFUL TIPS:
Chateaubriand steak is cut from the center of the tenderloin. It is usually cut to about 1-1/4 pounds, but we suggest a smaller cut, since we are including lobster tails for our special occasion menu. If possible, ask for 12 ounces to 1 pounds of center-cut tenderloin. Tarragon vinegar can be substituted for the fresh tarragon in the béarnaise sauce.