Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Grilled Stuffed Tenderloin

Ingredients

2 Tbl Olive Oil

1/4 cup Shallot, minced

1 Tbl Garlic, minced

2 tsp Kosher Salt

1 tsp Black Pepper, fresh ground

3/4 pound Fresh Spinach, cleaned and stems removed

1/4 cup Red Bell Pepper, roasted and peeled then small diced

1/4 cup Fresh Basil, chopped

1/4 pound Gorgonzola Cheese, crumbled

1 Center Cut Beef Tenderloin, 3 1/2-4 pounds

2 Tbl Steak Seasoning

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cook shallot, garlic, salt and pepper for 3-4 minutes, do not brown. Add spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted, approximately 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Drain excess moisture and place spinach in a mixing bowl. Add roasted red bell peppers, basil and gorgonzola cheese.

Using a long narrow knife, make a hole tunneling through the center of the tenderloin and running the length of the meat. While the knife is still inserted in the beef, rotate it one full turn to create a larger opening. Fill the hole with the spinach mixture by stuffing the tenderloin from both ends. Use a wooden spoon to push the filling towards the center of the tenderloin.

Sprinkle the entire surface of the tenderloin with steak seasoning.

Prepare grill and sear tenderloin over direct medium heat for 15 minutes, turning one-quarter turn every 4-5 minutes during the searing process.

Once seared, move the tenderloin to cook over indirect heat until desired doneness is reached, 20-30 minutes for medium rare. Turn the tenderloin once every 15 minutes during this stage. Remove the tenderloin from the grill and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before carving. Carefully cut tenderloin into one-inch thick slices and serve.

Yield: 6 servings

Recent Recipes

Harrison’s Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes

Having a son who’s following in your footsteps is one thing. Watching him take what you’ve taught him and elevate it to something even better—that’s special. During his Christmas break from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York, a few years ago, he nudged me out of the way and made these mashed potatoes. I was skeptical, of course as I’ve been making mashed potatoes for decades. But there was no question his version was better. There’s a lot of pride in seeing him excel in the kitchen, making something as simple as mashed potatoes taste extraordinary. This recipe has become a new tradition in our family. Watching him cook now, with all that skill and precision, is a proud moment for me every time. This is his recipe, and I’ve adopted it as my own.

Read more

Macaroni and Cheese

Growing up, elaborate mac & cheese wasn’t something that made its way to our dinner table. That’s not some sort of elitist statement. We grew up in a very modest way. It’s just that macaroni and cheese was something my mom never purchased at the store and therefore never served. This recipe is rich and indulgent with a blend of cheeses that create a creamy, savory masterpiece. Adding crispy fried shallots or crumbled bacon to the breadcrumb topping gives it a savory, satisfying crunch. The blend of cheeses—Velveeta for creaminess, Gruyere for nuttiness, Cheddar for sharpness, and Colby Jack for that buttery melt—makes all the difference.

Read more

Robert’s Christmas Turkey 2025

There's nothing like a well-roasted turkey to anchor a holiday table, and no one made it quite like my grandmother. She didn't wait until Thanksgiving to serve it. She'd roast a turkey once a month throughout the year, never mind the occasion. It was a staple at her table. My mother, on the other hand, always made a formal Christmas Eve dinner, complete with turkey, dressing, and gravy. As kids, the excitement of Christmas Eve was almost too much to bear. Those big dinners felt like the beginning of Christmas itself. It’s a memory that comes to mind every time I cook a turkey or make gravy. And a good gravy can make or break the meal. Making sure the roux browns just right and finishing the gravy with a touch of lemon juice or fresh herbs are tricks worth remembering. A little extra attention to the gravy goes a long way.

Read more