Coffee Crusted Wagyu Filets Mignons with Blue Cheese, Arugula and Bourbon Caramel Sauce

BY: John Cuevas

  • cooking-duration 30 minutes
  • servings 2 SERVINGS
  • cooking-style stove
  • cooking-mode moderate

A range of flavors and textures come together beautifully in this recipe from Chef John Cuevas. Tender American Wagyu filet mignon is crusted with ground coffee, brown sugar and salt to form the foundation of the dish. The bitterness of the coffee is balanced with bourbon and caramel. Earthy blue cheese adds a funky bite and citrus dressed wild arugula finishes with an acidic touch.

John Cuevas classically trained as a chef at Le Cordon Blue, Scottsdale, AZ. He worked with industry leading chefs and iconic fine dining restaurants in Arizona and California and was nominated for James Beard Foundation. At Madre in Boise, Idaho he combines his culinary background with his family’s Mexican heritage to create innovative, non-traditional tacos.

Ingredients

RUB

  • 2 oz. Ground coffee

  • 2 oz. Brown sugar

  • 2 oz. Kosher salt

BOURBON CARAMEL SAUCE

  • 1 cup Granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup Water

  • 1/2 cup Heavy cream, room temperature

  • 1/4 cup Butter, room temperature

  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

  • 2 tablespoons Bourbon

  • 1 teaspoon Fine sea salt

  • Flake or finishing salt

FILET & SALAD

  • 2 - 8 oz. SRF American Wagyu filets mignons Buy Now

  • 4 oz. Wild arugula

  • 3 oz. Blue cheese, neatly sliced into two portions

  • 1 oz. Olive oil

  • 1/2 Lemon (juice)

Directions

1
Mix all ingredients together and set aside.
2 minutes
1
Combine the sugar and water in a sauce pan. Stir to combine.
5 minutes
2
Turn the burner to medium-high heat, do not stir or touch the pan until the sugar has caramelized. Once the sugar reaches a deep amber color (about the color of a copper penny), remove the saucepan from the heat.
8 minutes
3
Slowly pour the heavy cream into the caramel mixture, whisking as you pour to quickly incorporate the cream.
1 minute
4
Add the butter and whisk until combined.
2 minutes
5
Add the vanilla, bourbon and sea salt and whisk until combined.
2 minutes
6
Keep warm and set aside.
1 minute
1
Roll your filets in the coffee mixture, coat completely.
1 minute
2
Place on a pre-heated grill and cook for 5 minutes on each side. (Cook to 120 degree internal temperature).
10 minutes
3
Remove from heat and let rest.
5 minutes
4
Mix arugula and olive oil in a bowl. Finish with lemon juice.
2 minutes
5
Place filet on a plate and drizzle over the bourbon caramel sauce. Place 2 ounces of the salad directly on top of the filet.
1 minute
6
Lean one slice of blue cheese against each steak.
1 minute
7
Serve.
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