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1
Coarsely crack peppercorns (see cooks' note, below).
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2
Stir together pepper and salt in a small bowl, then add oil and stir until combined well.
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3
Rub spice mixture all over beef.
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4
Tear off 8 (2-foot-long) sheets of heavy-duty foil and arrange in 2 stacks of 4.
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5
Divide potatoes, onions, garlic, and sage between stacks, arranging in 1 layer in center of foil, then drizzle each with 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt and pepper.
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6
Working with top sheet of foil, fold each side over potato mixture to enclose, then turn package a quarter turn and repeat folding and turning package with each piece of remaining foil.
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7
Make second hobo pack in same manner.
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8
Open vents on bottom of grill.
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9
Light charcoal (80 to 100 briquettes) in chimney starter.
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10
Leaving about one quarter of grill free of charcoal, bank lit charcoal across rest of grill so that coals are about three times higher on opposite side.
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11
Charcoal fire is medium-hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack over area where coals are piled highest for 3 to 4 seconds.
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12
Using long metal tongs, lift up one hinged side of rack and put hobo packs, folded sides down, on portion of bottom rack with no coals on it.
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13
(One side of packages will be in direct contact with coals.)
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14
Cook hobo packs, turning a quarter turn with tongs every 15 minutes, 45 minutes total.
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15
While hobo packs are cooking, sear beef on lightly oiled grill rack directly over hottest part of coals, uncovered, turning occasionally and, if necessary, moving around grill to avoid flare-ups, until well browned, 12 to 15 minutes total.
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16
Move beef to coolest part of grill, then cover with inverted roasting pan and grill, turning occasionally, until thermometer inserted diagonally into center registers 120F for medium-rare, about 10 minutes.
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17
Transfer beef to a cutting board and let stand, loosely covered with foil, 15 minutes.
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18
Preheat all burners on high, covered, 10 minutes.
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19
Reduce heat to moderately low on 2 burners if your grill has 3 (or 1 burner if your grill has 2) and cook hobo packs, folded sides down, on grill rack, covered with lid, over moderately low burner(s) 40 minutes.
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20
Meanwhile, sear beef on lightly oiled grill rack over remaining burner on high, covered with lid, turning over occasionally, until well browned, 12 to 15 minutes total.
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21
Reduce heat to moderate and cook beef, covered with lid, turning over occasionally, until thermometer inserted diagonally into center registers 120F for medium-rare, about 10 minutes.
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22
Transfer beef to a cutting board and let stand, loosely covered with foil, 15 minutes.
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23
Thinly slice beef, then remove potato mixture from packages and serve with sour cream, bacon, and chives.
