Beef Tenderloin with Cilantro-Wine Sauce and Mashed Yucca

YUCCA AND MEAT

1. 1 pound yucca, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2. 1/2 cup warm milk
3. 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4. Salt and freshly ground pepper
5. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
6. Four 8-ounce beef tenderloins

SAUCE

1. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2. 1 medium red onion, coarsely chopped
3. 2 garlic cloves, chopped
4. 1 long fresh red chile, seeded and chopped
5. 2 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
6. 2 whole cloves
7. 2 bay leaves
8. 1 teaspoon dried oregano
9. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10. 1/4 cup dry red wine
11. 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
12. 1 cup chopped cilantro
13. 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
14. 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
15. Salt and freshly ground pepper

1. PREPARE THE SAUCE In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, garlic and chile and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook over moderately high heat, stirring a few times, until starting to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the cloves, bay leaves, oregano and cumin and stir for 1 minute. Add the wine and vinegar and stir to release any browned bits on the bottom of the saucepan. Stir in the cilantro and broth. Simmer over low heat until the liquid is reduced to 2 cups, about 20 minutes. Strain the sauce into a small saucepan and whisk in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.
2. PREPARE THE YUCCA AND MEAT In a medium saucepan, cover the yucca with water and boil over moderately high heat until tender, 25 minutes. Drain well. Return the yucca to the saucepan and shake over moderate heat for 10 seconds to dry it out. Remove from the heat and mash the yucca with a potato masher. Mash in the milk and then the butter. Season with salt and pepper; keep warm.
3. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil. Season the tenderloins with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat until richly browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to moderate and cook for 4 minutes longer. Turn the tenderloins and cook until medium-rare, about 5 minutes.
4. Spoon the mashed yucca onto plates and top with the tenderloins. Spoon the sauce over the meat and serve.