Simple Roast Beef Tenderloin

Ingredients
2 pound beef tenderloin
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Instructions
1. Let the tenderloin sit at room temperature, covered, for 1 hour before roasting.

2. Adjust an oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat the oven to 425*F degrees. Pat the tenderloin dry with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper.

3. Heat the oil in a large ovenproof over medium-high heat until smoking. Brown the tenderloin on all sides, reducing the heat if the fat begins to smoke, about 10 minutes total. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the tenderloin until the center registers 125*F degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 20 to 25 minutes, flipping it over halfway through the roasting time.

4. Remove the tenderloin from the oven and transfer to a carving board. Cover with foil and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing into thin slices. 

Comments
This recipe is from Cook’s Illustrated 2007.  I love roasting beef tenderloin and this turned out very well.  The meat was tender and juicy all the way through.  I used half of the tenderloin from our recent Zekiah Cow and we were all blown away by the quality of the meat.  I can’t believe I held out this long to do something with the cut! 

Shown here with Simple Horseradish Sauce and Mushroom Puffs.