5NEWS Grill: Valentine’s Day Recipes

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Spinach and Bacon Stuffed Beef Tenderloin

Ingredients:
8 slices bacon, each cut crosswise into 1/4 inch pieces
1 small onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. tarragon leaves, chopped
8 ounces fresh baby spinach
4 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup seasoned italian style bread crumbs
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 (3 pound) center-cut beef tenderloin
1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Heat large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add bacon and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until crisp, stirring frequently.
Add onion and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until onion begins to soften, stirring frequently.  Add garlic and
cook 1 minute, stirring frequently.
Add butter and tarragon, and cook 1 minute or until butter is melted.
Stir in spinach and cook 1 to 2 minutes or until spinach is wilted.
Remove skillet from heat, and stir in cream cheese, bread crumbs, lemon juice 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
Transfer spinach mixture to shallow dish and refrigerate 30 minutes.

To butterfly beef, cut beef lengthwise down center, but do not cut all the way through, leaving 1/2 inch uncut.

Open beef and lay flat between plastic wrap on cutting board.  With flat end of meat mallet, pound beef to flatten to 1/2 inch thickness.
Remove plastic wrap, and evenly spread spinach mixture over beef, leaving about 1 1/2 inch border around edges.
Starting at one side roll up beef and filling to form a pinwheel.
With kitchen string, tie beef crosswise at about 2 inch intervals.
Tie beef lengthwise with second piece of string, threading through crosswise ties.

Heat large skillet over medium-high heat.  Sprinkle beef with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Add oil to skillet and sear beef 1 minute on each side or until outside is browned.  Place beef on rimmed baking pan and roast for 35 to 40 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 130 degrees for medium-rare.

Let stand 10 minutes before removing string and slicing.

NOTE: Spinach filling can be made up to 1 day in advance and
refrigerated.  Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before using.

Recipe for a Romantic Life

Combine two loving hearts; melt into one.
Add a lot of love.

Mix well with respect and trust.

Add gentleness, laughter, faith, hope and joy.

Pour in understanding, do not forget patience.

Sprinkle with a kiss and a dash of hugs.

Bake for a lifetime.

Yields- One happy couple!