California Golden Raisin Relish
Place golden raisins, sugar, vinegar, red onions, water and a sachet consisting of 1 star anise, a 1-inch piece of cinnamon stick, 6 allspice berries, 10 black peppercorns and 2 whole cloves in a 10-inch pot. Bring to a simmer over low heat. Cover and continue to cook for 10 minutes. Remove cover and reduce liquid until dry. Be careful not to burn. Remove from heat, let cool and mix in remaining ingredients.
Red Wine Sauce
In a medium saucepan, bring wine, vegetables, parsley, thyme, bay leaves and garlic to a simmer. Simmer until almost all the liquid has evaporated. Add peppercorns and veal stock and simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until stock is reduced to a sauce consistency (about 1 cup). Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a small saucepan. This sauce can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.
Yukon Gold Potato Purée
Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water, twice the volume of the potatoes. Bring to a slow simmer; cook until potatoes can be pierced with a knife with no resistance. While potatoes are still hot, peel and then press them through a potato ricer into a heavy-bottomed saucepan and begin to incorporate the hot cream and butter. Whisk well; season potatoes with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
Beef Medallions
Heat canola oil in a large saucepan until smoking. Season beef with salt and pepper. Working in batches, pan-roast medallions on each side until browned, about 2 minutes per side for medium rare (145°F). It is important not to crowd meat in pan or it will steam not pan roast. Remove meat from pan and reserve in a warm area.
To Serve
Heat 8 dinner plates. Evenly divide potato purée in center of each plate. Portion raisin relish evenly on top of each beef medallion. Carefully lift each medallion and position it on top of the purée. Spoon red wine sauce around each plate and garnish with a sprig of chervil.
Ingredients
California Golden Raisin Relish
- 2 Cups California golden raisins
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 Cup white wine vinegar
- 1/2 Cup minced red onions
- 3/4 Cup water
- 1/2 Cup yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/8-inch dice
- 11/2 Tablespoons minced cornichons
Procedure
Red Wine Sauce
- 2 Cups red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2/3 Cup shallots, sliced 1/8-inch thick
- 1 Cup carrots, sliced 1/8-inch thick
- 1/2 Cup mushrooms, sliced 1/8-inch thick
- 20 sprigs Italian parsley
- 8 sprigs thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 Tablespoons garlic, sliced 1/8-inch thick
- 12 black peppercorns
- 2 Cups veal stock
Yukon Gold Potato Purée
- 21 Ounces whole, unpeeled Yukon gold potatoes
- 1 Cup heavy cream, hot
- 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter
- Kosher salt, to taste
- White pepper, to taste
- 8 center cut rib-eye of beef medalloins (about 5 ounces each and 1 1/2-inches thick)
- 1/2 Cup canola oil
- 8 chervil sprigs
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste