We were served this roast at room temperature, but it could also be hot. If juniper berries are unavailable add a tablespoon of gin.
Servings: Eight
Ready Time: 3 hours 15 minutes, including marinating time
Wine Pairings: A rich, full-bodied cabernet sauvignon would be splendid with this beef dish, its faint mint and black-olive notes resonating with the herb crust. But the choices are broad. Beppi Crosariol
Ingredients
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh sage
1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
1 teaspoon juniper berries
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
3 pounds (1.5 kilograms) beef tenderloin, tied
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper
2 cups beef or chicken stock
Method
Combine orange rind, thyme leaves, rosemary, sage, parsley, berries and garlic in a small bowl.
Brush filet with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Pat crust all over meat. Place on a roasting pan fitted with a rack. Let rest refrigerated for at least 2 hours but bring back to room temperature before roasting.
Preheat oven to 450 F (232 C). Roast until rare for 25 to 30 minutes or until desired degree of doneness.
Remove from oven, cover with foil and let rest for 15 minutes. Remove the twine, lightly salt the surface of the meat and slice thinly. Add stock to roasting pan, scraping up bits on the base of the pan. Bring to boil and boil until reduced by half. Season.
Arrange meat on platter. Spoon sauce over meat.
Lucy Waverman