Filet américain
Filet américain: Brussels raw minced steak with mayonnaise, capers and onion
BelgianDespite its name, filet américain is a Belgian classic, served in Brussels brasseries with a mound of fries, or spread on a baguette as the famous 'broodje américain': very fresh lean beef, finely minced and mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, capers, chopped onion, parsley and a dash of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco, so it is creamy and tangy. The beef is eaten raw, so it is not for pregnant women, young children or anyone with a weakened immune system. Buy a whole piece of the freshest steak from a trusted butcher, trim it and mince it yourself just before serving; never use ready-minced beef. A common mistake is preparing it in advance; make it and eat it at once. Chef's tip: chill the meat and the bowl well and mix with a fork, not a processor, so it stays loose. Use shop-bought mayonnaise, which is made with pasteurised egg.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the américain
- 14 oz very fresh beef fillet or topside, in one piecetrimmed of all fat and sinew, chilled
- 4 tbsp shop-bought mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp caperschopped
- 1 shallotvery finely chopped
- ⅓ oz flat-leaf parsleyfinely chopped
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 drops hot pepper sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
To serve
- 4 portions baguette or fries
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Keep 14 oz very fresh beef fillet or topside, in one piece in the fridge until the last moment. With a very clean board and knife, mince it finely by hand, or in a cold mincer, into a chilled bowl. Common mistake: ready-minced beef; never use it raw.
Step 2: Mix in 4 tbsp shop-bought mayonnaise, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp capers, 1 shallot, ⅓ oz flat-leaf parsley, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 3 drops hot pepper sauce, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper with a fork.
Step 3: Serve at once, on 4 portions baguette or fries or with fries. Do not keep leftovers.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 26 g
- Carbs
- 3 g
- Fat
- 30 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does filet américain take?
- About 20 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of shallot?
- Half an onion per 2 shallots.
- What can I use instead of flat-leaf parsley?
- Curly parsley or coriander, same amount.
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