Ingredients

Serves 4

　　a 3/4-pound trimmed piece of beef fillet (preferably cut from the thicker end of the fillet)

　　

For the dressing

1/3 cup chopped drained marinated artichoke hearts

　　1 tablespoon Sherry vinegar or red-wine vinegar

　　2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

　　1/4 cup olive oil (preferably extra-virgin)

　　1 cup thinly sliced arugula, washed well and spun dry

　　20 Parmesan curls made by shaving a wedge of Parmesan with a vegetable peeler, or to taste

　　freshly ground black pepper to taste

　　

Step 1

Freeze the beef, wrapped in a plastic wrap, for 1 hour, or until it is firm but not frozen solid, and with a very sharp knife cut it across the grain into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Arrange the slices about 3 inches apart on sheets of plastic wrap, cover them with additional sheets of plastic wrap, and with a rolling pin, roll the slices thin, testing the first rolled slice to make sure it is no too thin to be lifted from the plastic without tearing. Roll up the sheets of plastic loosely and chill the beef for at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.

　　

Step 2

In a blender purée the artichoke hearts with the vinegar, the lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste, add the oil in a stream and 2 tablespoons warm water, and blend the mixture until it is emulsified.

　　

Step 3

Divide the beef slices among 4 chilled plates, lining the plates with a single layer of the slices, and mound the arugula and the Parmesan curls in the center of each plate. Sprinkle each serving with the pepper to taste, drizzle some of the dressing over each serving, and serve the remaining dressing separately.