Bacon-wrapped beef, olive oil mash and bearnaise

Babiche Martens

Ingredients

800 g	Eye fillets of beef, sliced into 4 portions (Main)
1	Freshly ground black pepper
1	Salt
8	Streaky bacon
600 g	Agria potatoes
1 cup	Vegetable stock
1	Water
1 Tbsp	Butter
1 Tbsp	Olive oil

Bearnaise Sauce

200 g	Butter
2 Tbsp	Tarragon vinegar
2 tsp	Shallots
1	Lemon, zest and juice
3	Eggs, yolks
2 Tbsp	Water
1 to taste	Salt & freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Season each portion of beef then wrap tightly with the bacon.
2. Boil the potatoes with the stock and extra water to cover if needed. When the potatoes are soft, drain then mash with the olive oil. Season, cover and keep warm.
3. Heat a heavy-based frypan. Add 1 Tbsp butter and 1 Tbsp oil. When hot, add the bacon-wrapped beef, sear for 1 minute on all sides then cover and cook for eight minutes so it is medium.
4. Remove from the heat, cover with tinfoil and let rest.
5. To make the bearnaise sauce: Melt the butter. Place the vinegar and shallots into the saucepan and simmer until the liquid has reduced to 1 Tbsp.
6. Pour this liquid into a small bowl, which needs to sit over a larger bowl of simmering water.
7. Add the yolks and whisk until foamy and they begin to thicken. Add lemon juice to taste and extra water if the sauce becomes too thick. Season.