Roast Beef Dip with Horseradish Sauce

Ease of Preparation: Medium.

Yield:   4 servings.

Horseradish Sauce

Ingredients:

¼ cup (60ml) peeled and rougly chopped fresh horseradish root,

2 tablespoons (30ml) white wine vinegar

½ cup (120ml) mayonnaise

½ cup (120ml) sour cream

Juice of 1 small lemon

Salt and pepper

Method:

Place horseradish in a food processor, and blend until coarse.

Add white wine vinegar, and blend until slightly smooth.

Add mayonnaise and sour cream, and blend until smooth.

Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Blend until smooth.

Reserve Horseradish Sauce for later use.

Roast Beef Dip with Horseradish Sauce

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons (45ml) olive oil

1 lb. (450g) beef tenderloin, trimmed

2 tablespoons (30ml) butter

2 tablespoons (30ml) all-purpose flour

2 cups (480ml) beef stock

1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh rosemary, chopped

1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh thyme, chopped

4 soft Panini buns

½ cup (120ml) Dijon mustard

8 large slices mozzarella cheese

Salt and pepper

Method:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heat oil in a medium size skillet over medium-high heat.

Season beef with salt and pepper.

Place beef in hot skillet, and sear for 3-4 minutes per side.

To cook beef to medium-rare, transfer skillet with beef to the oven and cook for 12-15 minutes.

Keep oven preheated for later use.

Let beef rest on cutting board for 10 minutes before slicing.

Transfer beef drippings and stock to a medium saucepan and stir in butter.

Heat over medium-high heat.

Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.

Add beef stock, rosemary and thyme to the pan and bring to a simmer.

Simmer for 10-12 minutes, until slightly thickened.

Keep au jus sauce warm until ready to serve.

Slice beef thinly while still warm.

Slice Panini buns and spread Dijon mustard on the bottom half of the bun.

Top bread with sliced beef and cheese.

Spread reserved Horseradish Sauce onto the top half of the Panini bun and place it onto the sandwich.

Transfer sandwiches to a parchment-lined baking tray and heat sandwiches in the oven for 6-8 minutes, or until sandwiches are hot and cheese has melted.

Serve sandwiches hot, with warm au jus sauce on the side.