I have to cook a beef tenderloin for 6 people tonight. I have bought 2 pounds skinned of fat and skin and the recipe calls for 1/2 pound of beef tenderloin for 4 people. How long do I cook the meat for? Why does the recipe have me tie the meat with string? What type of string do I buy and where?

Jennifer from Las Vegas

I would serve 5 ounces of beef per person, so 2 pounds for 6 people is the perfect amount. Season the meat with salt and pepper. A whole beef tenderloin has a thick end and then tapers to a tail. Fold the tail under the meat and tie with string so that the piece of meat is uniform in size and then the meat will cook evenly. Sear on a hot grill or heat olive oil in a skillet on high heat and brown the tenderloin on all sides. Finish cooking the meat in a 425 degree oven until the internal temperature is 130 degrees. Remove the meat from the pan to a cutting board. Let the meat rest for 20 minutes. Do not cover the meat, as the meat will overcook as it rests. Slice and serve.

Here are the tools that make cooking a beef tenderloin easy:

• twine
• probe thermometer
• 8-inch carving knife with hollow ground