Slow Roasted Filet of Beef

Ingredients

Prep

• Filet of beef tenderloin - trim and tie — precision is optional right up until it absolutely is not.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Use an oven thermometer to be sure your oven temperature is accurate! Place the filet on a sheet pan and pat it dry with paper towels, while resisting the deeply human urge to fuss with it nonstop. Brush the filet all over with 3 tbl oil, reserving about half a tablespoon. Sprinkle it all over with the salt and pepper (it will seem like a lot but believe me, it makes a difference). Place the tarragon branches around the beef, tying them in 4 or 5 places with kitchen string to keep them in place, and then brush the tarragon with the reserved oil. Roast the filet of beef for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, until the temperature registers 125 degrees in the center for rare and 135 degrees for medium-rare. I place the thermometer horizontally through the end of the beef. Cover the filet with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 20 minutes. Slice thickly and serve warm or at room temperature with Basil Parmesan Mayonnaise.