Beef fillet with beetroot & horseradish

Method

• step 1

  Preheat the oven to fan 160C/ conventional 180C/gas 4. Heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a frying pan, add the beef and quickly fry on all sides until nicely browned. Transfer to a shallow ovenproof dish and season all over with salt and pepper. (Don’t wash the pan; you can use it again.) Roast for 35-45 minutes, depending on how well you like your meat cooked and the thickness of the joint. Leave to cool.

• step 2

  Meanwhile, peel the shallots, leaving the roots intact, and cut in half lengthways. Heat another 1 tbsp olive oil in the frying pan, add the shallots and gently cook for 10 minutes, turning until softened. Sprinkle with the caster sugar and cook for a further few minutes, then remove from the heat and tip into a large bowl. Add the vinegar and remaining 3 tbsp olive oil, season with salt and pepper and leave to cool.

• step 3

  Heat vegetable oil, about 2.5cm deep, in a wide pan or wok. Thinly slice the beetroot and spread out the slices on a tray lined with kitchen paper. Pat them dry with more kitchen paper. Check the oil is hot enough by carefully dropping in a slice of beetroot – if it immediately rises to the surface covered with bubbles, the oil is ready. Fry the beetroot slices in batches for 2-3 minutes until they are curled and crisp. Drain well on a large plate lined with kitchen paper and leave to cool.

• step 4

  To make the dressing, mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and season to taste. Cut the cold beef into thin slices using a very sharp, unserrated knife. Put the salad leaves in the bowl with the shallots, toss well and spread over a large serving platter. Arrange the slices of beef on top of the leaves, spooning a little dressing on each slice as you go. Scatter the beetroot crisps over the dish and serve with oven-sautéed new potatoes (see below).