a “manly man” salad — Les Petites Gourmettes

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons bottled horseradish
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 3 small filet mignon steaks, each about 2-inches thick (beef tenderloin)
• 6 cups mixed salad greens
• 20 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 12 large cremini mushrooms, ends trimmed and then sliced
• 8 ounces Gorgonzola, crumbled