Peppered Filets with Tomato-Mushroom Salsa

Name: Peppered Filets with Tomato-Mushroom Salsa
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 6 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped; 1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms; 1/4 cup minced fresh Italian parsley; 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot; 2 teaspoons minced garlic, divided; 5 teaspoons olive oil, divided; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 6 beef tenderloin steaks (4 ounces each); 2 teaspoons lemon-pepper seasoning; 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar; 1/4 cup beef broth; 4 teaspoons butter; 6 lime slices

These fillets are an all-time favorite at our house. And the secret's in the salsa. It's full of fresh veggies and seasoning that bring a true taste of summer even in the winter. —Ann Hillmeyer, Sandia Park, New Mexico

Ingredients

6 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup minced fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
2 teaspoons minced garlic, divided
5 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 beef tenderloin steaks (4 ounces each)
2 teaspoons lemon-pepper seasoning
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup beef broth
4 teaspoons butter
6 lime slices

Directions

For salsa, in a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, mushrooms, parsley, shallot, 1 teaspoon garlic, 3 teaspoons oil, lime juice, salt and pepper; set aside.
Sprinkle steaks with lemon-pepper. In a large skillet, cook steaks in remaining oil for 4-5 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 145°; medium, 160°; well-done, 170°). Remove and keep warm.
Combine the vinegar, broth and remaining garlic; add to pan, stirring to loosen browned bits. Cook until liquid is reduced by half, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in butter.
Spoon sauce over steaks. Serve with salsa. Garnish with lime slices.

Nutrition Facts

1 steak with 1 tablespoon sauce and 1/3 cup salsa: 251 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 414mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch.

Originally published as Balsamic Peppered Filets with Fresh Tomato-Mushroom Salsa in Country Woman February/March 2009