1 (16 oz) can pitted dark sweet cherries in juice .
salt & freshly ground black pepper .
1/4 c ruby port .
1/2 tsp whole black peppercorns .
4 (6 oz) beef tenderloin steaks .
1 tsp arrowroot or cornstarch .
1/2 c beef broth .
1 tbsp grenadine .
1 tbsp unsalted butter, at about room temp .
1 tsp drained bottled horseradish .
1 tsp tomato paste .
1 large bay leaf
Directions
Step #1 Drain the cherry juice into a large saucepan & set the cherries aside.
Step #2 Add the port, horseradish, bay leaf, shallot, tomato paste, beef broth, & peppercorns.
Step #3 Bring to a boil over med-heat/flame & cook this until the mixture is reduced to about 2/3 c, 12 to 15 mins.
Step #4 Dissolve the arrowroot in 1 tsp water & stir in theto the sauce.
Step #5 Simmer until the sauce is shiny & slightly thickened, 1 min longer.
Step #6 Strain, cover, & set aside (This can be prepared a few hrs ahead if you put in the fridge the sauce, bring it to about room temp before proceeding.
Step #7 )
Heat the olive oil In a large-ish, heavy skillet over high heat.
Step #8 Sprinkle top the steaks with salt & pepper & add them to the hot oil.
Step #9 Brown the steaks on both sides & cook this until medium-rare (about 6 mins total) or to your liking.
Step #10 Transfer the steaks to a large platter.
Step #11 Add the cherries & kirsch to the skillet & flambé.
Step #12 When the flames die out, reduce the heat to low & add the cherry sauce.
Step #13 With a wooden spoon, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step #14 Stir in the butter & grenadine syrup, the sauce should be bright red.
Step #15 Cook until the beef is heated through, about 2 mins longer.
Step #16 Spice up the sauce to taste with salt & pepper, if necessary.
Step #17 Transfer the beef tenderloin steaks to warmed dinner plates.
Step #18 Spoon the cherry sauce over them & serve at once.