Cabernet-Cherry Filet Mignon Steak, Steak Recipe, Beef Recipe, Cast Iron Pan

Cabernet-Cherry Filet Mignon

The Cabernet-Cherry Sauce is so delicious! You'll absolutely love steak prepared this way. You can either cook the steak by Pan-Searing or a very easy technique called Sear-Roasting.

Check out Linda's article Cooking With Wine, and also check out all of Linda's Beef Recipes using various cuts of beef.

Cabernet-Cherry Filet Mignon

4 (4 to 5 ounce) 1-inch thick filet mignons*
Olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups Cabernet Sauvignon or burgundy wine
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4 whole cloves
8 whole peppercorns
1 bay leaf, torn into small pieces
1/2 pound fresh Bing cherries, rinsed
Salt and pepper to taste
1 to 2 teaspoons sugar (optional)

* Check out Types of Steaks and Cooking Techniques for the Perfect Steak.

Bring steaks to room temperature. Coat steaks lightly with olive oil. Rub minced garlic evenly over the steak and season both sides with salt and pepper (press in with your hands); set aside until ready to cook.

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, bring wine and balsamic vinegar to a boil. Tie the cloves, peppercorns, and bay leaf in a bundle with a small piece of cheese cloth. Add the spice bundle to the wine mixture; continue boiling approximately 15 minutes or until mixture is reduced to 1/2 cup.

While the wine mixture is reducing, pit the cherries. Cut the cherries into quarters and add to the wine mixture. Cover and cook approximately 10 minutes or until the cherries are tender. Season with salt and pepper. Add the sugar to balance the flavors, if needed. Remove the spice bundle from the sauce and discard. Reduce heat to low to keep Cabernet-Cherry Sauce warm until steak are cooked.

Using the Pan-Searing or Sear-Roasting techniques, proceed to cook your steak to your desired doneness. Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness:

Rare - 120°F
Medium Rare - 125°F
Medium - 130°F

Pour the Cabernet-Cherry Sauce over the steaks just before serving.

Makes 2 servings.

PAN-SEARING:

In a heavy frying pan (I use my cast-iron frying pan) over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sear the steaks, moving them with tongs a little so they don't stick to the bottom, for 5 to 6 minutes per side. When the steaks are crusty-charred and done to your liking, remove from the pan, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. During this time the meat continues to cook (meat temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees after it is removed from the oven) and the juices redistribute; add juices that accumulate from resting steaks to Cabernet-Cherry Sauce). Serve whole or slice thin and fan onto individual serving plates.

SEAR-ROASTING:

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (a very hot oven produces a juicy interior). Place a 10- to 12-inch ovenproof skillet or cast-iron skillet in oven. When oven reaches 500 degrees temperature, remove pan from oven and place on range over high heat (the pan and the handle will be extremely hot - be careful).

Immediately place steaks in the middle of hot, dry pan (if cooking more than one piece of meat, add the pieces carefully so that they are not touching each other). Cook 1 to 2 minutes without moving; turn with tongs and cook another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and put the cast iron skillet with the steaks in it into the oven. Cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes, depending on thickness of steaks and degree of doneness you like. When the steaks are crusty-charred and done to your liking, remove from the pan, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. During this time the meat continues to cook (meat temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees after it is removed from the oven) and the juices redistribute (add juices that accumulate from resting steaks to Cabernet-Cherry Sauce). Serve whole or slice thin and fan onto individual serving plates.