My mother had a book when we were young that was a little forbidden to us. I used to pore over it staring wide eyed at the glossy pages, probably slack jawed and drooling. It was stored under the staircase, hidden away slightly from prying and jammy children’s fingers. It was an enormous tome and I don’t even remember the name of it. And in it were a range of recipes that we were never really going to eat as my father had a strict “Chinese food only” policy. They had rack of lamb, buttery cakes, cherries jubilee and a Beef Wellington with it’s burnished golden exterior and pink interior. The full coloured photo pages are probably worn and dog eared from a hungry and curious child and I confess the book has my fingerprints all over it.
Beef Wellington is usually a tenderloin topped with foie gras and mushroom duxelles-don’t let the term duxelle scare you as it did me. It is simply finely chopped mushrooms, onion and herbs cooked in butter to resemble a paste. It is then wrapped in puff pastry and baked. I’ve seen and eaten Beef Wellington at restaurants and they always seem to slice it off a larger piece of beef. I’ve even seen it on a menu where it has to be ordered a day in advance so I always assumed that it was hard to do. But since there are just the two of us and I don’t seem to have the necessary forethought to order things in advance, I wanted to attempt to make one for two people. Actually individual people as I wanted to wrap each piece of beef in pastry. See how sneaky I am? This means more pastry! Stick with me and I’ll always give you more pastry… 
.
I know that for most of you, you do want regular, easy to make recipes. This Beef Wellington is it. It’s quite easy to serve this at a dinner party and you could certainly prepare it ahead of time, even going as far as the pre oven stage but equally, it is so simple you could do it on a week night for just the two of you. I was curious to see how it would taste and I can resoundingly say that as a buttery pastry lover I prefer this version to a regular Beef Wellington. I served this with a simple classic jus and some halved pan fried baby eggplants and the buttery pastry, aromatic mushrooms and tender beef were delicious together. Some things are better shared yes but some things, are best eaten individually, especially as far as pastry is concerned.
So tell me Dear Reader, was there ever a dish that you always wanted to eat but were never allowed to when you were young?
And I know I wasn’t allowed to tell you any details about the television commercial but now I can tell you more about it! I filmed an ad for Streets Cornetto for their latest Summer campaign! The facebook page is here and they’ll slowly unveil details of the ad as well as some rather cool prizes that I am giving away. Hint hint, one of the items I’m giving away is something that many people would like to own. Ok sorry that was way too vague wasn’t it? OK it starts with “i” and ends in “pad” 
.
Photo by Nicole Warne
I am in the ad with a troupe of darlings who I absolutely adored including Amanda Thomas of Here Comes the Sun, Nicole Warne of Gary Pepper Vintage, Mark Ipaviz of Matinee Idol, Isaac Hindin Miller of Isaac Likes and Johnny, Andreas, Will and Alistair of the band, Johnny Rock and The Limits. The best part was that we were hired to be…ourselves! They even built me my very own cafe for my “set”! The ad will run from the end of November to February in Australia and New Zealand 
Easy Individual Beef Wellingtons
Serves 2
- 2x scotch fillet steaks (about 180g/6ozs each)
- 125g mushrooms ( used Portobello mushrooms)
- 1/2 onion, cut into quarters
- a pinch of thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic oil
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 2 sheets puff pastry
- 1 egg yolk mixed with 2 tablespoons milk
Serve with: mashed potato or vegetables of your choice. I also like this with jus-I used The Essential Ingredient’s Classic Jus.
1. Firstly make the mushroom duxelles. In a food processor, whiz up the mushroom and onion until it is in small pieces. Heat a frypan on medium heat and add butter and garlic oil. Fry the mushrooms and thyme until fragrant and add red wine and cook this off (about 8-10 minutes total). The drain the mushroom mix in a sieve lined with paper towels to get rid of all of the excess liquid. You can use this liquid in a soup.
2. Preheat oven to 220C/440F and line a baking tray with parchment. Take out puff pastry from the freezer and allow to thaw. Season the beef fillets with salt and pepper. In a clean frypan heat on medium to high and sear the edges of the steak only. Place the beef fillet on the puff pastry and top with the mushroom duxelle mixture. Seal it up at the ends cutting off any corners that you don’t need. You can cut out shapes using the extra scraps and place them on top. If you are making this ahead of time for a dinner party, you can cover these with cling wrap and refrigerate them for a few hours until needed. Just egg glaze them just before you put them in (see below).
3. Brush the top of the Wellingtons with the egg yolk and milk mixture. I usually put the pastry in the fridge a bit to chill as puff pastry tastes better when baked from chilled in a super hot oven. I also reroll the scraps of pastry and fill it with the leftover duxelle mixture and bake those too (chef’s treat!). Bake for 20 minutes until pastry is golden. Serve immediately.
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
81 Comments | Add your own
Lorraine, that sounds so exciting! I can’t wait to see the ad!! I can’t remember there being a dish I wasn’t allowed to eat, but mum was always cooking very healthy food, and I guess as a kid you always want to eat things that are not that healthy! This beef Wellington looks fantastic!!
Oh what fun that commercial sounds can’t wait to see you in your little cafe. I love individual wellingtons yum, and you pic of the mushroom duxelles cooking was great, made me inhale in expectation.
How exciting to be in a commercial! and how lucky are you to get to be yourself! Win-win I say
Oh I love your cute little Wellingtons! This is the only way I make them, it is so much more elegant than a big thing to carve up at the dinner table!
I am so excited about your ad campaign!! You will have to get a schedule of when it screens for us, so we can turn the TV on for all the ad segments
…I know I will be more entertained by your ad than the TV programs! Heading over to facebook now to “like” the page 
)
Thanks for my morning smile starts with “i” and ends in “pad”, even hubby laughed at that one.
Cool commercial – can’t wait to see it in full! Lucky you! Did you gets lots of cornettos??
Yay! We LOVE this news!! Can’t wait to see it
xxx
Congratulations, Lorraine!! So very, very happy for you.
I adore Wellingtons and am charmed by these darling individual ones.
This was actually one of my childhood dreams too. 
I haven’t made beef wellington for years – you have inspired me.
Mmmm, beef wellington! I much prefer individual wellingtons, as opposed to one giant wellington that is cut into smaller porttions…you can never go wrong with more pastry, right love?
So excited for your commercial, Lorraine!! (And what a cute pic that is!) I’m hoping I get to see it online!
Wow, that’s spooky.
Beef Wellington has been one of those meals that i’ve always wanted but never had to the opportunity to eat.
In the last few weeks i’ve been thinking about it again and now your divine looking individual Beef Wellington recipe shows up.
I know what i’m having on Saturday night.
This looks delicious. Individual serving foods are always irresistibly cute to me 8).
Ooh commercial! Ooh iPad! Ooh!
Wow that’s great news about the ad! I’m far to camera shy to agree to anything like that, but looks like you’re rocking it. Beef wellington sounds great, I’ll have to try it once we’re unpacked and I’ve figured out my new oven…
Girl, you are soooo photogenic! Love the Beef Wellies too, thank you..
I’ve always wanted to try these! Congrats on being in the advert, can’t wait to see it.
Congrats on the ad gig, NQN! Can’t wait to see it.
Wow Lorraine congratualtions thats such great news!!
Such an inspiration that dreams really do come true.
p.s. the Wellington look yumo! Im a puff lover too and the more the better
My mother had an apparent fear of peanuts – not the anaphylaxis thing that seems to be afflicting more and more kids at the moment, but mostly that we would choke on them – this stretched to anything with whole peanuts in it – snickers, peanut brittle, mixed nuts at parties
We were allowed to eat it if we were something we could get it, but Mum would never make anything but basic roasts, meat and three (overcooked) veg, salads, pasta. She and Dad hated garlic. I would get to taste foods like lasagne and Chocolate eclairs on her fairly regular forays to Brisbane. As Mum wouldn’t or couldn’t make them, I learned to make them myself from the age of 8 or 9. Chinese food also. The oldies always complained about ‘spice’ and ‘garlic’ but lapped up eclairs and chocolate mousse.
The well-thumbed forbidden book for me was Mum’s cake icing books. How I longed for a fancy cake, especially if it was from the WW cookbook.
Can’t wait to see the ad, congrats.
The wellingtons look so adorable.
I was lucky there wasn’t any off limits food, Mum was/is very keen to experiment and learn, and Dad adored/adores that about her.
You can never have too much pastry! Loving the idea of individual beef wellingtons. I’ve always been too daunted by the idea of making a full sized one so I will definitely try this one!
And a super big congratulations on your ad!!! How exciting!!! Cant wait to see you on tv
yummm…love the combo of meat and mushroom, with that golden flaky pastry casing *drools* Congrats on the ad=) can’t wait to see you on TV, will wait for it=)
Oh NQN! I love you and your blog. Thank you for everything!
I forgot to congratulate you on the commercial.
This looks wonderful Lorraine! And, best of all, I now have yet another excuse to use some of that wonderful jus I won! Thank you!!!
ps, Congrats on the tv ad! I will now be able to say “I knew her before her tv stardom….” 
Super yum, pure comfort food and like you, I’m a huge fan of buttery pastry mmm
I too, thought Beef Wellingtons were hard to make, this recipe gives me complete confidence, am going to give this a go
How exciting! Can’t wait to see the ad
My reaction to your give away… starts with “me” and ends in “wants”
A
These are cute! I don’t think there was anything as a kid that was forbidden to me that I really wanted to eat – my world may have been limited, but I was happy.
PS – have put those ingredients on my shopping list this afternoon to make tomorrow. I don’t like to share as I’m an only child, so individual portioning solves that.
A
It may be dated and “very ’70′s” but I love beef wellington.
Or maybe it’s just the whole idea of having my food wrapped in pastry?
YUMMO… YUMMY! Love it, is that Jus in the cute little white cup? Awwwwwhhhh…drool…
Hmmm…. A food I always wanted as a youngster but wasn’t allowed? Well, my bro and I used to ‘borrow permanently’ (Teehee) the condensed milk from the pantry, we always managed to find a way to get what we wanted. LOL.
The boy and I have always wanted to make our own beef wellington but always thought it needed alot of time too. Might have to show him this
Oooo and congrats on the commercial, will keep my eyes on the TV for you =p
I can’t wait to see the ad! How exciting!
Your beef wellington looks fantastic but I have to say the chef’s treat sounds like the best part to me.
Gosh that looks fantastic, and I am going to give it a go for our evening meal tonight, only two of us, but shall make seperately. I also am a pastry lover.
That’s so exciting about the Cornetto ad! I’m looking forward to seeing it on tv! And your beef wellingtons look absolutely delicious, I may have to try this recipe soon, I’ve been craving them for the past couple of days!
Hi – it seems that the pate was left out of your recipe. I can’t believe you are a non-pate lover!!! I did, however, enjoy the three uses for the mushrooms . . . what a clever person you are
In the kingdom of beef this dish is a must to try – absolutely delicious!
All the best,
Gera
Can’t wait to see you gracing our screens Lorraine! You deserve all good things- enjoy
Lisa x
I loved looking at my mum’s cookbooks and food in magazines when I was young – I think rum babas and bombe alaska were among the foods that just seemed amazing to me.
have always meant to try a mushroom wellington but still never managed it.
am looking forward to the advert – sounds very exciting
Fantastic – I have some fillet and pastry in the freezer and was contemplating doing just this – thanks for letting me know how easy it is!
Oh. My. God! Lorraine!!! Congratulations!!! I’m so excited for you and your celebrityness and me for being able to see you on the telly soon!
A billion hugs and high fives – you’re amazing!
Those little beef Wellingtons look and sound so delicious! What an elegant treat!
Looking forward to the ad… the behind the scenes on YouTube looks like fun.
As for what I wasn’t allowed growing up… probably anything with taste. *lol* My Mum did a great roast but other food was bland and veg were only boiled (she would do awesome roast veg though) and she never cooked broccoli. I actually love it but she’s had to be taught how to cook it… her first attempt meant she boiled it with the carrots and it disintegrated when she put a fork near it. *lol*
Congratulations Lorraine on the very exciting Streets Cornetto ad! That Beef Wellington looks scrumptiously delicious and amazingly real.
I love the mini beef Wellington idea. It’s much more sensible than one big one that’s harder to cook. Going to copy it, if that’s ok?
The ad sounds so cool – can’t wait to see it. I have a friend who’s also in an ad at the moment, but it’s for a boring bank. Ice cream is much better!
woohooo 12 days to go before we can see you on the screen Lorraine. How exciting.
You know I always thought beef wellington is only for those professional chef.
I will try to make this for my hubby’s birthday, he loves his beef hahahaha …
thanks v much for this recipe Lorraine.
WOW, and now you’re a TV star too?? What a year you’re having young lady…well deserved, and I just did these (individual Wellingtons) myself, with limited success, still tweaking. Divine, but need work, so now I have more fodder to work with. Thanks
I want an IPAD!! Congras Lorraine….
Man, that is so cool! I cannot wait to see the commercial! I just love the story of you sneaking to read the forbidden cookbook
I can’t think of something I wanted but was not allowed to eat! These look lovely, and you’re so right. When it comes to pastry, individual is totally better 
Heidi xo
Get out! Go you! Cornetto’s are my fave ice cream! Love it!Can’t wait to see your ad!
I’m excited to see the ad!
I always thought Beef Wellington was really hard to make as well, but I use Gordon Ramsey’s recipe and it’s so easy!
Yum, sounds delicious (I don’t eat beef, but I imagine that even if I doubled up on the mushrooms, it would still be quite good?)
Love the decoration. We were sort of on the same wave length, as I made chicken pot pie. Not the same, but a good excuse to use pastry!
Congrats on the ad – wish I could see it!
What a cute picture! I hope they’ll put the ads online as well. No forbidden foods that I remember, but Mom often hid goodies so that there would be some left when she got home from work.
The wellingtons are gorgeous. Prettier than the ones in the hidden book I’m sure. xoxo Mum
Ooooh, does the ad mean a new Cornetto flavour??? Intriguing, can’t wait to see you on TV though! Your Wellington looks so good, that pastry!
ooh this looks delicious! i’m gonna have to give it a go! i love how easy to follow your instructions are! congratulations on the cornetto ad by the way!
Yayy excited for you, the giveaway, and the ad. Love Cornetto, seems like a fun ad
Props to you for making individual beef Wellingtons! It’s one of those recipes that I’ve wept over countless times, so I’m always cheering for people like you who actually do pull it off.
I’ve never tried Beef Wellington but I’ve wanted to for so long – this recipe looks perfect to try! Mmm pastry yum
I can’t wait to see your ad – very exciting!
How cool! I can hardly wait to see it. I can remember staring at a plate of Iced Vovos in my Nan’s pantry and just sniffing them. They were definately on my no eat list. Another time we were travelling across the Nullabor and came accross a fruiting plum tree, my brother and sisters were all given one, but it had too much acidity for me and I cried and cried! I’m glad you can expand your cullinary repitoire now you are all grown up.
YUM! This sounds and looks delicious!
Check you out!
So pleased for you, and I can’t wait to see the ad in all it’s glory.
Love the beef wellingtons, for some reason it always reminds me of Gordon Ramsay – saw him make it on tv once and it has somehow stuck…
So excited about seeing you on TV!
Individual beef wellingtons are a “why didn’t I think of that” idea! Brilliant!
I think the last time I had Beef W was at a wedding reception. Now that I think about it and alluding to your post, it IS the perfect One dish serving. Now you have me thinking if I can pull this off for my anti-thanksgiving feast, for 20 people!
That is one extremely delicious looking, perfect Beef Wellington *drool*
an ad!!!!!!!!!!!! lady you are taking over the world! woohoo I just sqealed to my husband that I’m going to see you in an ad!
wow I’m so proud of you! that is amazing! hope I get to see the ad lots and lots!
well done! oh yes and the beef looks lovely of course! I was always sad that my mum did her very special potato bake from AWW dinner party book but never made it for us only her dinner parties. We only got the leftovers, I’ll never forget that
Corrie:)
my stomach is growling!! this is going on the to-try list.
Love the look can’t wait to share with the family
you’re officially famous–bravo.
on an even more outstanding note, these are some elegant little bundles of beef. well done.
Need to make these individual Beef Wellingtons as I know my husband would love them.
Congratulations on your first TV ad, I’m sure there will be more to come. I don’t watch regular TV ( it’s always on Foxtel) but will just to see the ad in full. Lorraine, you didn’t say just how this all came about, I’m sure lots of your readers would love to know.
can’t wait for the ad campaign to start! mm.. beef wellington looks scrumptious
NQN takes over the world!!
YAY! We get to see you AND ice cream!
It’s a shame the Cornetto doesn’t have any pastry.
I love a good beef wellington! I made the masterchef one from earlier this year and it was delicious but a little too tarragony for me. But individual ones are a fabulous idea!!
That looks delicious. I have never had beef wellington before, but i love anything wrapped in pastry! Congrats on the ad too!
I tried my first Beef Wellington a couple of months ago, all from scratch, it was an 4 hr process but god it was worth it. My husband was in heaven..as was I
Must do these individual ones next.
Keeping my eyes open for the commercial!
Can’t wait to see you on my big screen! MWAH!
I don’t like meat. But I like Beef wellington. I haven’t had it in years so I will have to save this to Delicious along with most of your recipes… you need to move in here. You do windows, right?
I made this last night for dinner. Super easy and my husband loved it!! Will definately be making it again.
Congrats again and so looking forward to seeing the end result! Hope you get plenty of camera love and airtime!
Post a Comment