1. Blitz the porcini mushrooms in a food processor to form a fine dust. Season, then stir in 1 tbsp olive oil; rub the paste all over the beef fillet.
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2. Heat a frying pan over a medium- high heat and sear the beef for 6-8 mins, turning often to make sure you colour it all over. Set aside to cool completely while you prepare the filling.
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3. Heat the remaining oil in the same pan and cook the shallots and garlic over a medium heat for 3 mins. Add the watercress and stir until it wilts. Transfer to a food processor with the Parmesan and breadcrumbs; pulse until combined.
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4. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to 35 x 45cm, making sure it’s big enough to fully surround the beef. With a long side facing you, spread the watercress micture across the middle third of the pastry, leaving a 3cm border at the long edges and 12cm at the short edges.
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Method
Place the beef at the bottom of the watercressmix and brush the uncovered pastry with some of the beaten egg.
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5. Roll up the pastry wth the beef inside, pressing where the pastry meets to seal it, then transfer to a lined baking tray, with the seal at the bottom. Pinch and twist the ends of the pastry to form a cracker shape, then brush all over with egg.
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Trim 1-2cm from the ends and reroll the offcuts; use a cutter to cut out the snowflake shapes and stick them onto the Wellington. Brush again with egg and sprinkle the poppy seeds over the centre. Chill for 30 mins.
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Method
6. Preheat the oven to gas 7, 220°C, fan 200°C, and put a large baking sheet in the oven to heat up.
Place the beef Wellington tray on top of the baking sheet, then bake for 15 mins.
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Method
Reduce the oven temperature to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C and cook for another 20 mins for medium rare (or 25-30 mins for medium) until the pastry is puffed and golden. Leave to rest for 20 mins before slicing.