Fillet of beef, with potato and beetroot rosti, baby beets and Madeira sauce Recipe

Fillet of beef, with potato and beetroot rosti, baby beets and Madeira sauce Recipe

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 x 200g/7oz middle-cut beef fillet
  • 180g/6½oz unsalted butter
  • 200g/7oz salsify, peeled and cut into 2cm/1in batons (keep in a bowl of citrus water to prevent browning)
  • 1 banana shallot, thinly sliced
  • 100ml/3½fl oz Madeira
  • 175ml/6fl oz veal jus or stock (alternatively you can use beef stock)
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chervil
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 large Maris Piper potatoes, scrubbed, not peeled, coarsely grated
  • 2 beetroots, peeled, coarsely grated
  • 75g/2½oz crème fraîche
  • 1 free-range egg, yolk only
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 70g/2½oz butter
  • 1 bunch baby beetroots
  • 1 bunch heritage or candied beetroot
  1. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
  2. Heat the oil in a medium frying pan. Once hot add the beef and cook on each side for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add 75g/2¾oz butter to the pan and place in the oven for 4-5 minutes depending on the weight of your fillet steak. Leave to rest.
  4. Add 75g/2¾oz butter to a hot pan. Add the salsify and and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until tender and golden-brown.
  5. In a clean pan, heat the remaining butter until foaming then add the shallot. Fry for 3-4 minutes, or until golden-brown.
  6. Add the Madeira and carefully tip the pan towards the flame of the hob, so that the alcohol catches alight. Cook until the liquid has reduced in volume by three-quarters. Add the veal stock, stirring well, and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until reduced in volume by half. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Stir in the chervil.
  7. For the rosti, put the potatoes in a clean tea towel inside a bowl and squeeze out any excess water. Transfer the potato and beetroot into a clean bowl along with the crème fraîche, egg, parsley, salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.
  8. Heat 35g/1¼oz butter in an ovenproof frying pan over a medium heat and place 2 x 7.5cm/3in chefs' rings in the pan. Spoon the potato mixture into the rings, press down well using a spoon, and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until golden-brown. Remove the rings, turn the rosti, press the mixture down and cook for a further 3-4 minutes. Transfer the pan to the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until tender and cooked through.
  9. Meanwhile, boil the baby beetroots in their skins for 10-15 minutes. Run under cold water and rub off the skins. Heat a medium frying pan and add the remaining butter, add the baby beetroots and cook for 1-2 minutes. Peel the heritage beetroots and cut using a mandolin.
  10. To serve, place the rosti in the centre of the plate and place the beef on top. Put the salsify and beetroot around the rosti and pour over the sauce.