Christmas with feathers

Christmas Pears - a festive and delicious dish

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

Christmas Pears is a refined dish that perfectly combines the juicy flavor of beef tenderloin with the subtle sweetness of caramelized pears. This simple and quick recipe is sure to impress your guests, becoming a real hit on the Christmas table or any other special occasion. Here's how to prepare this delight step by step.

Ingredients:

- 2 beef tenderloin fillets (approximately 300 g each)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 ripe (but firm) pears
- 1 carrot
- 1 bell pepper (preferably red for color contrast)
- 1 small zucchini
- 1 medium onion
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 1 teaspoon of brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh or dried oregano for added flavor

Instructions:

1. Start by preparing the ingredients. Choose quality beef tenderloin fillets, as they will make a difference in the final texture and taste. Gently pound the fillets with a meat mallet to make them more tender. Brush them with one tablespoon of olive oil, then sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides.

2. Clean the vegetables. Cut the carrot, bell pepper, and zucchini into equal cubes so they cook evenly. The onion should be finely chopped. This vegetable mix will add color and perfectly complement the dish.

3. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it becomes translucent.

4. Add the carrot, bell pepper, and zucchini to the skillet, sautéing them for about 5-7 minutes until they become slightly soft. These vegetables will not only add flavor but also a vibrant look to your dish.

5. In another skillet, add the remaining butter and brown sugar. Then, place the sliced pears and let them caramelize over medium heat, gently turning them to coat evenly with butter and sugar. This process will take about 5-7 minutes. The caramelized pears will provide a sweet-tart contrast that will transform the Christmas Pears into a memorable delicacy.

6. In the same skillet where you sautéed the vegetables, add the beef tenderloin fillets. Cook them for 4-5 minutes on each side for medium doneness. Make sure not to overcook them, to keep them juicy.

7. Once the meat is cooked, remove the fillets from the skillet and let them rest for 5 minutes, covered with aluminum foil. This step is essential to allow the juices to redistribute within the meat.

8. Finally, plate the vegetables, add the beef fillets, and garnish with caramelized pears. Sprinkle fresh or dried oregano for added flavor.

Serving suggestion: This dish pairs wonderfully with a dry red wine, which will complement the rich flavors of the meat and the sweetness of the pears. You can also add mashed potatoes or a fresh salad to complete the meal.

Possible variations: You can try replacing the pears with apples or apricots, each variation offering a distinct note to the dish. Additionally, you can add toasted nuts for extra crunch.

Enjoy this Christmas Pears and indulge in a combination of flavors, textures, and colors that will turn any meal into a celebration of taste.

The two veal fillets are beaten well and brushed with a little olive oil. The vegetables are cleaned and cut into small cubes. They are sautéed in 4 tablespoons of hot oil in a wok. Towards the end, we add some dried tomatoes and basil (Kotanyi seasoning). Then, the sautéed mixture is placed in the center of each fillet, and the long edges are rolled inward, followed by bringing the ends together like a package. It is then wrapped in baking paper and placed in a preheated oven tray. You can place sprigs of thyme and rosemary, chili peppers, and anything else you like on top. Let it brown for about 40 minutes over medium heat. Then, the packages are taken out, the paper is unwrapped, and they are served as a gift wrapped in long steamed leek strips tied with a ribbon. Next to them, you can place pears soaked a little in water with a bit of rum, cherry tomatoes, and baked potato shapes (the potatoes are sliced and then cut into festive shapes like stars, hearts, or Christmas trees as you like. They are placed in the tray with a little oil and served as a side dish). They are served as a gift wrapped in long steamed leek strips tied with a ribbon. Next to them, you can place pears soaked a little in water with a bit of rum, cherry tomatoes, and baked potato shapes.

 Ingredients: We need: 2 veal fillets, 1 onion, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 carrot, 5-6 champignon mushrooms, 1 leek, 1 red bell pepper, 1 handful of dried plums, 2-3 potatoes.