Beef Bourguignon With Potato Gratin Food

BEEF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Add the bacon and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is lightly browned. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a large plate.
• Dry the beef cubes with paper towels and then sprinkle them with salt and pepper. In batches in single layers, sear the beef in the hot oil for 3 to 5 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove the seared cubes to the plate with the bacon and continue searing until all the beef is browned. Set aside.
• Toss the carrots, and onions, 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of pepper in the fat in the pan and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the Cognac, stand back, and ignite with a match to burn off the alcohol. Put the meat and bacon back into the pot with the juices. Add the bottle of wine plus enough beef broth to almost cover the meat. Add the tomato paste and thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place it in the oven for about 1 1/4 hours or until the meat and vegetables are very tender when pierced with a fork.
• Combine 2 tablespoons of butter and the flour with a fork and stir into the stew. Add the frozen onions. Saute the mushrooms in 2 tablespoons of butter for 10 minutes until lightly browned and then add to the stew. Bring the stew to a boil on top of the stove, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Season to taste.
• To serve, toast the bread in the toaster or oven. Rub each slice on 1 side with a cut clove of garlic. For each serving, spoon the stew over a slice of bread and sprinkle with parsley.

POTATO AND GROUND BEEF GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 10-inch skillet, cook beef, salt and pepper over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain.
• Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion; cook about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in flour. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in thyme.
• Stir milk into onion mixture. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in 2 cups of the cheese until melted.
• Spread half of the potatoes in baking dish. Top with beef; spread remaining potatoes over beef. Pour cheese sauce over potatoes.
• Cover with foil; bake 45 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese over potatoes. Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes longer or until top is brown and bubbly and potatoes are tender. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

BEEF BOURGUIGNON I

Steps:

• For marinade: In a large bowl, combine the wine, cognac, onions, carrots, parsley, bay leaf, garlic, peppercorns and salt. Mix well and add the cubed beef. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 days.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• For Bourguignon: Strain the meat from the vegetables and marinade; reserve marinade. Dry meat with paper towels. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the meat and saute for 10 minutes, or until browned on all sides. Transfer meat to a separate medium bowl with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• In the same skillet, add the bacon and saute until lightly browned. Transfer the bacon to the bowl with the meat. Drain the skillet and return it to the heat. Pour a cup of marinade into the skillet to deglaze the skillet, scraping the bottom to loosen up all the little bits. Return this liquid to the reserved marinade.
• Heat the remaining oil in the skillet. Add the onion and carrot from the marinade, along with the additional onion that you've chopped, and saute for 5 minutes, or until tender. Transfer this mixture to the bowl with the meat and bacon, again using a slotted spoon, and return skillet to the heat. Add the flour to the skillet, combining with the oil and stir until well mixed and brown, about 2 minutes.
• Now add the tomato paste, garlic, beef broth, reserved marinade and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and whisk to remove any flour lumps. Add this to the meat and vegetable mixture. Place entire mixture into a 9x13 baking dish.
• Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 3 hours, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• About 15 minutes before meat is done baking, melt butter in the skillet over medium high heat. Add the mushrooms and saute for 5 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. When meat is done, add the mushrooms to the meat mixture, stir well and let sit for about 15 minutes.

ULTIMATE GRATIN DAUPHINOIS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 160C/Gas 4/fan oven 140C. Rub the butter all over the surface of a gratin dish, about 18x28cm/7x11in. Peel and slice the potatoes to a width of 3mm/1⁄8in. Lay the slices on a clean tea towel and pat dry. Keep them covered with the tea towel while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
• Pour the milk and cream into a saucepan. Add the garlic, thyme and shallot (if using). Slowly heat the milk and, just as it is about to reach boiling point and you see bubbles appearing around the edge of the pan, remove it from the heat. Strain the liquid into a large jug, sprinkle in the nutmeg and keep warm.
• Layer half the potato slices in the dish, slightly overlapping the slices and sprinkling with a little salt and freshly ground pepper between each layer. You don't have to be too neat with the lower layers, but keep some of your best slices for later, so the top looks good.
• Pour half the hot milk and cream over the potatoes, then finish off layering the rest of the potatoes (arranging them a bit more carefully this time). Pour over the rest of the hot milk and cream. Scatter the cheese over the top and bake for about one hour, until golden and tender. Leave the dish to stand for about 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with a few fresh thyme leaves.

BEEF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Tip 1.6kg braising steak, cut into large chunks, into a large bowl with 3 bay leaves, a small bunch of thyme, 2 bottles cheap red wine and some pepper, then cover and leave in the fridge overnight.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Place a colander over another large bowl and strain the marinated meat, keeping the wine.
• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan, then brown the meat in batches, transferring to a plate once browned. When all the meat is browned, pour a little wine into the now-empty frying pan and bubble to release any caramelised bits from the pan.
• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large casserole and fry 3 large or 6 normal carrots, cut into large chunks, and 2 roughly chopped onions until they start to colour. Stir in 3 tbsp plain flour for 1 min, then add 1 tbsp tomato purée.
• Add the beef and any juices, the wine from the frying pan and the rest of the wine and herbs. Season and bring to a simmer. Give everything a good stir, then cover.
• Transfer to the oven and bake for 2 hrs until the meat is really tender. Cool. Will freeze for up to 3 months.
• To serve, defrost completely overnight in the fridge if frozen, then place on a low heat to warm through.
• Meanwhile, heat a small knob of butter in a frying pan and add 300g bacon lardons and 500g peeled pearl onions or small shallots. Sizzle for about 10 mins until the bacon starts to crisp and the onions soften and colour.
• Add 400g halved mushrooms and fry for another 5 mins, then stir everything into the stew and heat for 10 mins more. Serve scattered with chopped parsley.

BEEF BOURGUIGNON WITH POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• For the bourguignon:
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• In a 9 to 10-inch pot that is at least 4 inches deep, bring 1/4 cup cooking oil to smoking temperature. Season the meat with salt and black pepper. Over high heat, brown the meat in the pot in 2 or 3 separate batches and set aside. Reduce the heat, add the bacon to the pot and cook it until it begins to brown. Add the onions, carrots, and celery and sweat approximately 10 minutes over medium heat while stirring often. Add the tomato paste and allow it to brown and cook about 5 minutes. Add the flour while stirring constantly. Slowly incorporate the red wine into the pot, stirring constantly so that no lumps form. Add the stock and meat to the pot and bring to a simmer. Secure the thyme and bay leaves together with the butcher's twine and place it in the pot. Place a lid on top of the pot and put it into the oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the meat is fork tender. Remove the lid and skim the top of any excess fat. The onions and mushrooms should be added right before serving.
• For the potato gratin:
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, toss the sliced potatoes with salt and black pepper. Arrange them in layers in a greased 8 by 6-inch flameproof baking dish. Pour the heavy cream over the layered potatoes. Place the dish on top of a sheet pan and then into the oven for 45 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the oven and turn the oven temperature to broil. Top the potatoes with the cheese and return to the oven for approximately 5 minutes, or just long enough for the cheese to melt and nicely brown. Serve alongside the Beef Bourguignon.

BEEF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Place flour in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add beef to flour and toss to coat. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy Dutch oven over high heat. Working in batches, add beef to pot and sauté until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Return all meat to pot. Add brandy; boil until almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add wine, broth, thyme, garlic, bay leaves and oregano. Cover; simmer until beef is almost tender, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté until brown, about 6 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to large bowl Melt 1 tablespoon butter in same skillet. Add carrots and celery; sauté until golden, about 6 minutes. Using slotted spoon transfer to bowl with onions. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in same skillet. Add potatoes; sauté until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to bowl with other vegetables. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in same skillet. Add mushrooms; sauté until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to bowl.
• Add vegetables to pot with beef. Add nutmeg. Cover pot; simmer 45 minutes. Uncover pot and boil liquid until thickened to sauce consistency, about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

HEARTY BEEF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Place beef in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle flour mixture over beef; toss to coat beef evenly.
• Heat a 12-inch heavy-bottom skillet over medium heat. Add about 1 tablespoon canola oil; swirl to coat bottom of skillet. Heat oil to just below smoking point. Test by placing one piece of beef in pan; it should sizzle the moment it touches the pan. If beef spits, sputters, and smokes, pan is too hot; remove it from the heat to cool. If beef does not sizzle, pan is not hot enough; wait a minute or two more. Brown beef in about 8 manageable batches: Arrange 1/8 of the meat in skillet so cubes do not touch. Cook until dark crust has formed and beef easily releases from pan when lifted with tongs, about 3 minutes. Brown all sides of each piece in this manner. Transfer first batch of browned beef to large Dutch oven. Return skillet to heat. Deglaze skillet: Pour in 1/8 of the wine (about 3 ounces); use a wooden spoon to loosen bits that have cooked onto skillet. Pour wine and deglazed juices into Dutch oven. Return skillet to heat. Quickly wipe out with paper towel. Add another tablepoon canola oil; repeat process of browning beef cubes and deglazing skillet.
• When last batch of beef is browned and skillet is deglazed, return skillet to medium-low heat. Add pancetta; cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. With slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to Dutch oven. Pour half the oil from skillet into a small bowl; set aside. In oil that remains in skillet, cook half the sliced onions, carrots, and parsnips, stirring often, until onions are transparent, and carrots and parsnips have softened, about 10 minutes. With slotted spoon, transfer to Dutch oven. Cook remaining half of vegetables in reserved oil from skillet; transfer to Dutch oven.
• Prepare bouquet garnish: Place bay leaf, thyme, parsley, and peppercorns on square of cheesecloth; tie with kitchen twine; add to Dutch oven. Pour enough water into Dutch oven to barely cover meat, about 2 quarts. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and gently simmer, partly covered, until beef is tender, about 2 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, place potatoes in a medium saucepan; cover with salted water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until tender. Warm cream in a small pan over medium heat. Drain potatoes; when cool enough to handle, press through ricer into medium bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Cut 1 stick butter into chunks; add to potatoes, and whisk to incorporate. Drizzle in hot cream, whisking constantly. Whisk in 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and the nutmeg. Set aside.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter; add pearl onions, and saute until golden, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; add to Dutch oven. Return skillet to heat; add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, and melt. Add mushrooms; cook just until mushrooms release liquid, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to Dutch oven. Continue to simmer stew until beef is very tender and pearl onions are very soft, about 30 minutes more. Remove bouquet garni; discard.
• Heat oven to 475 degrees. Spoon stew into individual ovenproof ramekins about 5 inches wide and 3 inches tall. Top each with large spoonful (about 1 cup) reserved mashed potatoes. Garnish each with oregano sprig. Place ramekins on baking sheet; bake until crust is golden, about 15 minutes. Serve hot.

GRATIN OF BEEF AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to broil setting.
• Fill large saucepan half full of water. Bring water to a rapid boil. Add potatoes. Cook stirring occasionally, about 18 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Rinse under cold water and set aside.
• In a medium-size bowl, combine ground beef with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Mix well to even distribute seasoning; set aside.
• In 10-inch skillet over high heat, melt margarine. When it comes to a hard sizzle, add 1 cup onion and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes or until onion starts to brown. Turn heat down to medium and continue cooking, stirring more frequently, another 2 minutes or until onion is caramelized to a rich brown color.
• Add celery and 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Stir to mix well and cook another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Moving vegetables to one side of the skillet, add seasoned ground beef and remaining onion. Turn heat to high. Cook, stirring frequently to break up meat chunks, about 6 minutes or until meat is brown. (I've found this technique difficult in one pan. I use a separate pan for the onions then add the carrots combining all afterwards.).
• Stir in carrots and cook 3 minutes.
• Add flour and remaining optional 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning and stir well. Let mixture cook about 4 minutes, without stirring, to allow a brown crust to form on bottom of skillet. When brown crust has formed, scrape it up and and stir to incorporate it. Stir in 1 cup stock to deglaze pan, stirring and scraping bottom and sides of pan until clean.
• Stir in remaining 1 cup stock and cook another 2 and 1/2 minutes or until mixture has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and adjust seasoning.
• Place cooked potatoes, meat mixture and 2 cups cheese in a 2 1/2 quart ovenproof casserole dish. Stir carefully, to avoid mashing potatoes, just until mixed and mixture is evenly distributed. Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly over top.
• Bake, uncovered, in oven preheated to "broil" setting about 7 minutes or until cheese has melted and is lightly browned. Remove from oven and serve immediately.