Grilled Filet Mignon Toast with Herb-Infused Butter and Watercress
Indulge in the luxurious combination of perfectly grilled filet mignon served on a crispy slice of whole grain toast, adorned with a rich, herb-infused butter and a vibrant salad of fresh watercress. This dish is a delightful mix of textures and flavors, introducing a smoky depth from the grill, balanced with the freshness of lemon and herbs. It's an elegant yet simple dish, ideal for special occasions or a gourmet weeknight dinner. Celebrate the essence of bold flavors that Texas cuisine has to offer while treating yourself and your guests to a meal that is both satisfying and sophisticated.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
whipped butter or regular butter
1 tablespoon (slightly softened)
extra virgin olive oil
3 teaspoons, divided
chives or shallot
1 tablespoon (minced)
capers
1 tablespoon (rinsed and chopped)
fresh marjoram or oregano
3 teaspoons, divided (minced)
freshly grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon, divided
fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon (fresh)
kosher salt
¾ teaspoon, divided
fresh ground pepper
½ teaspoon, divided
fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon (minced)
garlic clove
1, plus 1 (1 minced, 1 peeled and halved)
filet mignon
1 lb (about 1 1/2 inches thick, trimmed of fat and cut into 4 portions)
whole grain bread
4 slices
watercress
4 cups (trimmed and chopped)
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your grill to high heat to ensure it’s hot enough for a perfect sear.
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2. In a small bowl, mash the whipped butter or softened regular butter until creamy and soft.
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3. Add 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil to the mashed butter and mix until well combined.
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4. Stir in the minced chives or shallots, chopped capers, 1 teaspoon of marjoram or oregano, ½ teaspoon of lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground pepper. Mix well, cover, and place the butter mixture in the freezer to chill.
5
5. In another small bowl, combine the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of marjoram or oregano, the rest of the lemon zest, remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt, freshly ground pepper, minced rosemary, and the additional minced garlic. Mix well to create a flavorful rub.
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6. Rub the steak generously with the herb mixture on both sides, ensuring even coverage.
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7. Take your slices of whole grain bread and rub both sides with the halved garlic clove to infuse a light garlicky flavor. Discard the garlic clove after rubbing.
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8. Grill the filet mignon for 3 to 5 minutes per side, adjusting time according to your preferred doneness (medium-rare recommended).
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9. At the same time, grill the bread slices for about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side, until they are golden brown and crispy.
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10. Once done, transfer the grilled toasts to a serving plate and place the grilled steaks on top of each toast.
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11. Generously spread the cold herb butter over the hot steaks and allow to rest for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
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12. Meanwhile, divide the chopped watercress among four plates, and top each with the steak-topped toasts. Serve immediately and enjoy your culinary creation!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in this recipe?
The main protein used in this recipe is filet mignon.
How thick should the filet mignon steaks be?
The steaks should be approximately 1.5 inches thick.
What type of bread is recommended for the toast?
Whole grain bread is recommended for this recipe.
How should the butter be prepared for the herb mixture?
The butter should be mashed until it is creamy and soft before adding other ingredients.
What ingredients are in the herb-infused butter?
The butter includes olive oil, chives or shallots, capers, marjoram or oregano, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Why do you put the herb butter in the freezer?
The herb butter is placed in the freezer to chill and firm up before it is spread on the hot steaks.
What ingredients make up the steak rub?
The steak rub consists of olive oil, marjoram or oregano, lemon zest, salt, pepper, minced rosemary, and minced garlic.
How is the garlic used to flavor the bread?
A halved garlic clove is rubbed onto both sides of the bread slices before grilling to infuse a light flavor.
How long should you grill the filet mignon?
Grill the steaks for 3 to 5 minutes per side, depending on your preferred level of doneness.
What is the recommended doneness for the steak?
Medium-rare is the recommended doneness for this filet mignon recipe.
How long does the bread take to grill?
The bread slices should be grilled for about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side until golden brown.
What heat setting should the grill be on?
The grill should be preheated to high heat to ensure a perfect sear.
Can I use regular butter instead of whipped butter?
Yes, you can use regular butter that has been slightly softened.
Which herbs are included in this dish?
The recipe uses fresh marjoram or oregano, rosemary, and chives.
How should the watercress be prepared?
The watercress should be trimmed and chopped before serving.
When do you add the herb butter to the steak?
The cold herb butter is spread over the steaks immediately after they are placed on the grilled toast.
How long should the steak rest after grilling?
The steak should rest for 5 minutes after adding the herb butter to allow flavors to meld.
Can I substitute chives with something else?
Yes, minced shallots are a suitable alternative to chives.
What provides the citrus flavor in the recipe?
The citrus notes come from both freshly grated lemon zest and fresh lemon juice.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
Based on the ingredients, the recipe serves 4 people.
Is the garlic used in the steak rub or just for the bread?
Garlic is used for both; one clove is minced for the rub and another is halved for the bread.
What creates the smoky depth in this dish?
The smoky depth is achieved by grilling the steak and the bread.
Can I use oregano instead of marjoram?
Yes, the recipe specifies that either fresh marjoram or oregano can be used.
What type of salt is suggested?
Kosher salt is suggested for both the butter and the rub.
How much olive oil is needed in total?
A total of 3 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil are used, divided between the butter and the rub.
What is the preparation for the capers?
Capers should be rinsed and chopped before being added to the butter.
Do you keep the garlic clove after rubbing the bread?
No, the garlic clove should be discarded after it has been rubbed onto the bread.
How is the final dish assembled?
Place the steak on the toast, top with butter, rest, and then serve on a bed of watercress.
What makes this dish suitable for special occasions?
The use of luxurious filet mignon, herb-infused butter, and elegant presentation makes it a gourmet choice.
Is the watercress salad cooked?
No, the watercress is served fresh and raw as a vibrant base for the steak toast.