Serves4
                    
                
                
                    
                        
                            - Active Time:10 min
 
                        
                            - Start to Finish:30 min
 
                        
                    
                
             
            
            
                
                
                
    
      
          
          
          
              
              
              
          
          
          
          
          
              
              
              November 2006
            
          
          
      
  
                
                
            
            
            
                We couldn’t improve much on traditional beef Stroganov, but we did decide to trade up: The usual small tenderloin pieces are replaced by whole steaks, which make for a more striking presentation on the plate.
            
            
            
            
            
                
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                
                                    
                                        - 
                                            6
                                            oz
                                            dried egg noodles
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            1
                                            
                                            medium onion, halved lengthwise
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            2
                                            tablespoons
                                            vegetable oil
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            4
                                            
                                            (1 1/4-inch-thick) beef tenderloin steaks (filets mignons)
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            1 1/4
                                            teaspoons
                                            salt
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            3/4
                                            teaspoon
                                            black pepper
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            2
                                            
                                            garlic cloves, thinly sliced
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            1/2
                                            lb
                                            sliced white mushrooms
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            1/4
                                            cup
                                            brandy
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            3/4
                                            cup
                                            reduced-sodium beef broth
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            2
                                            tablespoons
                                            Worcestershire sauce
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            3/4
                                            cup
                                            sour cream
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                
                            
                         
                    
                 
            
            
            
            
            
                
            
            
            
            
                
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            
                                
                                
                                
                                    
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Cook noodles in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until just tender. Drain in a colander.
                                         
                                    
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Meanwhile, thinly slice onion using slicer. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking. While oil heats, pat steaks dry. Sprinkle 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper on steaks, then add to skillet and sauté, turning over once with tongs, about 6 minutes total for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate with tongs.
                                         
                                    
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Add onion, garlic, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to oil in skillet and sauté, scraping up any brown bits with a wooden spoon, until onion begins to brown, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and sauté, stirring occasionally, until liquid given off by mushrooms is evaporated, about 4 minutes.
                                         
                                    
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Add brandy and boil until evaporated, about 1 minute. Add broth and Worcestershire sauce, then cover and cook until onion is softened, about 4 minutes.
                                         
                                    
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Remove from heat and stir in sour cream. Toss noodles with some of sauce and serve remaining sauce over steaks.