Mini Beef Wellingtons

If you want a really special appetizer, this recipe fits the bill.  I saw Claire Robinson make this on her show on the Food Network.  The beef tenderloin is pricey but the result is delicious and would be worth the splurge for a special occasion.  The recipe makes 24 appetizers and I didn't need that many when I made it, so I divided the recipe in half.  Instead of the beef tenderloin, I used a couple of 6 ounce filet mignons I had in the freezer.

Mini Beef Wellingtons

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds beef tenderloin, cut into 24 (1 inch) cubes
salt and black pepper to taste
10 ounces cremini mushrooms, stemmed and finely chopped
1 large shallot, finely chopped.
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Pat the beef dry with a paper towel and season all side with salt and pepper.  Quickly sear the beef on 2 sides until deep golden brown, about 4 minutes total;  do not overcook.  Transfer to a plate to cool.

Add the mushrooms and cook until beginning to brown and release liquid, about 5 minutes.  Add the shallots and continue cooking until mushroom mixtures dries out, is golden brown and shallots are soft, about 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and cool.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

On a work surface, roll 1 sheet of puff pastry to a 10 by 14 inch rectangle.  Put teaspoon sized mounds of mushroom mixture on the pastry, evenly spacing them in 4 rows by 3.  Top the mushroom mound with a piece of beef, seared side up.  With a sharp knife, cut the pastry into even squares around the meat and mushrooms.  Working 1 at a time, pull 2 opposite sides of pastry up over  each beef piece, then fold the ends over the top to make a packet.  Invert and arrange the packet seam side down on the baking sheet and press  lightly to seal the pastry.  Repeat with the remaining beef, mushrooms, and pastry.

Bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.  Remove from the oven to a serving platter and let cool 10 minutes before serving.  Makes 24 appetizers.