Charred Beef Tenderloin With Cacio e Pepe Toasted Barley and Watercress Pesto Recipe

Updated August 09, 2018

This is a hearty, crave-buster dish that I still feel proud to eat because it's full of lean protein and whole grains. Rather than the traditional buttery pasta, I'm using toasted barley flavored with a hearty sprinkling of black pepper and a light dusting of salty Pecorino Romano cheese to capture the flavors of cacio e pepe. Simple as that, but so nutty, chewy, hearty, and good. On top is a piece of simply grilled filet mignon topped with a peppery pesto of watercress, spinach, and arugula.

Recipe Details

Charred Beef Tenderloin With Cacio e Pepe Toasted Barley and Watercress Pesto Recipe

Active 30 mins

Total 0 mins

Serves 2 servings

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

2/3 cup pearl barley, rinsed
Kosher salt
1 packed cup mixed bitter greens, such as watercress, spinach, and arugula
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olie oil, divided
3 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano, divided
12 ounces beef tenderloin
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Cover barley with water by 2 inches in a medium pot and add a teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a bare simmer, and cook until barley is tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside. Barley can be cooked up to 3 days in advance.
For the pesto, place the greens, garlic, walnuts, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of Pecorino Romano cheese in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process until a paste is formed. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
Rub beef with 1 teaspoon oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat a cast iron skillet or grill pan over high heat until lightly smoking, then add beef. Cook, turning frequently, until well-browned on all sides and an instant read thermometer inserted into deepest part of meat registers 120°F for medium rare or 130°F for medium, about 10 minutes total (reduce heat if the meat threatens to burn or the smoking is excessive before it reaches its finished temperature). Transfer meat to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
While the meat is resting, make the cacio e pepe barley. Wipe out skillet and add remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Return to medium-high heat until shimmering. Add barley and 2 teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until barley is toasty and lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and scatter remaining 2 tablespoons of Pecorino over the top. Stir into the barley, allowing the residual heat to melt it. Season to taste with more salt and pepper as desired.
To serve, divide the barley into two shallow bowls. After the meat has rested, cut into 1/2-inch slices. Place on top of the barley. Spoon one or two spoonfuls of the pesto over the meat, and top with some extra freshly cracked black pepper. Serve.