Beef Carpaccio with mushroom, pear & watercress

Posted on Monday, 10 March 2025 under Beef

Looking for a restaurant-quality beef carpaccio recipe? This light and elegant entrée pairs thinly sliced New Zealand beef with earthy mushrooms, sweet pear, and peppery watercress. Perfect for special occasions, fine dining at home, or an impressive starter, this recipe highlights fresh, high-quality ingredients. Serve it with a drizzle of olive oil and parmesan shavings for a truly gourmet experience.

Ingredients

500g ANZCO Foods beef tenderloin
100g oyster mushrooms or mushrooms of your choice
1 Nashi pear
Handful of watercress, rocket or similar salad greens
1 Tbsp black and white sesame seeds, lightly toasted
1 Tbsp crispy shallots
¼ cup sisho tips or leaves

For the dressing

⅓ cup freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice
⅓ cup light soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp mirin or sugar
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 red chilli, finely chopped (optional)

Serves 4

 

Method

1. Preparation of the ANZCO Foods beef tenderloin

Heat a little oil in a fry pan on medium to high heat. Season eye fillet with salt and freshly ground black pepper and sear for 45 seconds on all sides, so the middle is still rare. Remove and set aside to rest (and cool) for 10 minutes. Lay a piece of cling film, about an arm’s length, out on the bench and wrap eye fillet up in a nice cylindrical shape, twisting the ends of the cling film to secure. Freeze wrapped eye fillet for at least 3 hours until very firm or overnight.

2. Making the carpaccio

Remove cling film from eye fillet and slice very thinly with a sharp knife (slice as thinly as you can). Note: If it has been frozen overnight, allow it to thaw for 20 minutes on the bench so it is easier to slice.

3. Making the dressing

To make the dressing, combine the lime or lemon juice, soya sauce, sesame oil, mirin or sugar, extra virgin olive oil, shallot and chilli. Place the greens, oyster mushrooms, nashi pear and, bitter greens into a bowl, then spoon a couple of tablespoons of dressing over the salad.

4. To Serve

Lay slices of beef in a circle on the plates, slightly overlapping. Place a handful of the salad in the centre of the beef slices. Drizzle more of the dressing around the outside of the plate. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds, crispy shallots, sisho and serve immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is beef carpaccio?

Beef carpaccio is a classic Italian dish made with thinly sliced raw beef, often drizzled with olive oil, lemon juice, and topped with fresh ingredients like rocket, parmesan, and capers. It is served as a light starter or entrée.

2. How do you prepare beef for carpaccio?

To prepare beef for carpaccio, use a high-quality cut like eye fillet or sirloin, and freeze it slightly for 30 to 60 minutes before slicing. This makes it easier to cut into paper-thin slices. A sharp knife or a meat slicer is ideal for achieving the best texture.

3. Is beef carpaccio safe to eat?

Yes, beef carpaccio is safe to eat as long as you use high-quality, fresh beef from a trusted source. It’s important to keep the meat refrigerated, handle it hygienically, and consume it soon after preparation.

4. What should I serve with beef carpaccio?

Beef carpaccio pairs well with:

  • Fresh rocket or watercress
  • Thinly sliced parmesan cheese
  • Drizzled olive oil or balsamic reduction
  • Crusty bread or crostini
  • Capers or pickled onions for added acidity

5. Can I make beef carpaccio ahead of time?

Yes, but for the best flavour and freshness, slice the beef just before serving. You can prepare the toppings and dressing ahead of time and store them separately to keep everything fresh.

Looking for other delicious beef recipes?

Try our Korean style beef bao buns or Beef steak taco bowl recipe.

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