Boeuf Bourguignon Food

BOEUF A LA BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the red wine, beef stock, brandy, onion, carrots, garlic, parsley sprigs, thyme, rosemary, peppercorns, cloves, allspice, and bay leaf and stir well. Add the beef and stir. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
• Drain the beef and reserve the marinade and vegetables separately. Pat the beef dry with paper towels. Set the beef and vegetables aside.
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• Remove the outer rind of the slab bacon. Cut the bacon into lardons: 1 inch long strips about 1/4- inch thick. In a small saucepan, cover the lardons and the rind with cold water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, and simmer for 3 minutes. Drain the lardons and rind, pat them dry, and reserve both.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the lardons and cook, stirring, until crisp and their fat has rendered. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the lardons to paper towels to drain.
• Season the beef with salt and pepper, dredge in the flour, and shake off any excess.
• Raise the heat to high and, working in batches, brown the beef. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a plate. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat and return to high heat. Add the reserved vegetable mixture and tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned, about 5 minutes.
• Return all of the browned beef to the pot. Add the reserved marinade liquid, and reserved bacon rind. Bring to a boil and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the stew to the oven and cook, covered, until the beef is very tender, about 3 hours.
• Remove the stew from the oven. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a plate. Strain the liquid and discard the solids. Return the beef and strained broth to the Dutch oven with the lardons.
• Put the pearl onions in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of butter and the sugar. Cover the onions with water and season with salt and pepper. Simmer the onions over medium-high heat until almost tender. Raise heat to high, and reduce the cooking liquid to about 2 tablespoons. Continue to cook the onions, shaking the pan over the heat, until the onions are golden brown and glazed. Transfer the onions to the stew.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of butter in another skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook the mushrooms, tossing often, until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to the stew.
• In a small bowl, cream together the tablespoon of softened butter with the tablespoon of flour. Roll the mixture into pea-sized pieces.
• Bring the stew to a simmer and, while stirring gently, add enough beurre manie, bit by bit, to lightly thicken the sauce.
• Divide the stew among 6 shallow soup plates and garnish each with a crouton. Serve immediately with pasta or boiled potatoes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush both sides of the bread with the butter and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake the croutons until golden brown. Dip the edges of the bread in the stew to moisten; then in parsley to lightly coat the edges.
• Yield: 6 croutons

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON A LA JULIA CHILD

Steps:

• First prepare the bacon: cut off the rind and reserve.
• Cut the bacon into lardons about 1/4" thick and 1 1/2" long.
• Simmer the rind and the lardons for ten minutes in 1 1/2 quarts of water.
• Drain and dry the lardons and rind and reserve.
• Pre-heat the oven to 450°F.
• Put the tablespoon of olive oil in a large (9" - 10" wide, 3" deep) fireproof casserole and warm over moderate heat.
• Saute the lardons for 2 to 3 minutes to brown lightly.
• Remove to a side dish with a slotted spoon.
• Dry off the pieces of beef and saute them, a few at a time in the hot oil/bacon fat until nicely browned on all sides.
• Once browned, remove to the side plate with the bacon.
• In the same oil/fat, saute the onion and the carrot until softened.
• Pour off the fat and return the lardons and the beef to the casserole with the carrots and onion.
• Toss the contents of the casserole with the salt and pepper and sprinkle with the flour.
• Set the uncovered casserole in the oven for four minutes.
• Toss the contents of the casserole again and return to the hot oven for 4 more minutes.
• Now, lower the heat to 325°F and remove the casserole from the oven.
• Add the wine and enough stock so that the meat is barely covered.
• Add the tomato paste, garlic and herbs and the bacon rind.
• Bring to a simmer on the top of the stove.
• Cover and place in the oven, adjusting the heat so that the liquid simmers very slowly for three to four hours.
• The meat is done when a fork pierces it easily.
• While the meat is cooking, prepare the onions and mushrooms and set them aside till needed.
• For the onion, if using frozen, make sure they are defrosted and drained.
• Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet and add the onions to the skillet.
• Saute over medium heat for about ten minutes, rolling the onions about so they brown as evenly as possible, without breaking apart.
• Pour in the stock, season to taste, add the herbs, and cover.
• Simmer over low heat for about 40 to 50 minutes until the onions are perfectly tender but retain their shape and the liquid has mostly evaporated.
• Remove the herbs and set the onions aside.
• For the mushrooms, heat the butter and oil over high heat in a large skillet.
• As soon as the foam begins to subside add the mushrooms and toss and shake the pan for about five minutes.
• As soon as they have browned lightly, remove from heat.
• To Finish the Stew:.
• When the meat is tender, remover the casserole from the oven and empty its contents into a sieve set over a saucepan.
• Wash out the casserole and return the beef and bacon to it (discarding the bits of carrot and onion and herbs which remain in the sieve).
• Distribute the mushrooms and onions over the meat.
• Skim the fat off the sauce and simmer it for a minute or two, skimming off any additional fat which rises to the surface.
• You should be left with about 2 1/2 cups of sauce thick enough to coat a spoon lightly.
• If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of stock.
• If the sauce is too thin, boil it down to reduce to the right consistency.
• Taste for seasoning.
• Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetables.
• If you are serving immediately, place the covered casserole over medium low heat and simmer 2 to 3 minutes.
• Serve in the casserole or on a warm platter surrounded by noodles, potatoes or rice and garnished with fresh parsley.
• If serving later or the next day, allow the casserole to cool and place cold, covered casserole in the refrigerator.
• 20 minutes prior to serving, place over medium low heat and simmer very slowly for ten minutes, occasionally basting the meat and vegetables with the sauce.

BœUF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• 1. Laisser tempérer la viande de 60 à 90 minutes avant de la cuisiner. Bien l'essuyer avec du papier absorbant, puis l'assaisonner. 2. Mélanger la cuillère à soupe de beurre avec la cuillère à soupe de farine (beurre manié). Réserver. 3. À l'aide d'une ficelle, lier le bouquet garni (le céleri, le thym, le persil, le laurier). Réserver. 4. Faire fondre le 1/4 tasse de beurre dans une cocotte et faire dorer les cubes de boeuf sur tous les côtés. Ne pas ajouter trop de cubes à la fois afin d'obtenir une belle coloration. Réserver. 5. Verser un filet d'huile dans la même cocotte et ajouter le lard et l'oignon haché. Faire revenir de 2 à 3 minutes. Ajouter l'ail et cuire 1 minute de plus. 6. Déglacer avec le vin rouge et laisser mijoter pendant 5 minutes. 7. Ajouter le beurre manié et la pâte de tomate, puis fouetter afin de défaire les grumeaux. 8. Remettre la viande dans la cocotte, puis jouter le bouquet garni et les carottes. Assaisonner. 9. Couvrir et enfourner dans un four préchauffé à 325°F (160°C) pendant 2 h 30. Ajouter les champignons et les oignons perlés, puis poursuivre la cuisson encore 30 minutes.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Add the bacon and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is lightly browned. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a 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, onions, 1 T of the salt and 2 t of the pepper into the fat in the pot and cook over medium heat for 10 to 12 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 the bacon back into the pot with any juices that have accumulated on the plate. Add the wine plus enough beef broth to almost cover the meat. Add the tomato paste and thyme. Bring to a boil, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and put it in the oven for about 1 1/4 hours, or until the meat and veggies are very tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven and put on top of the stove.
• Combine 2 T of the butter and all of the flour with a fork and stir into the stew. Add the frozen onions. In a medium pan, saute the mushrooms in the remaining 2 T of butter over medium heat for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned, and then add to the stew. Bring the stew to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 15 mintues. Season to taste.
• Rub each slice of bread on one side with the garlic. For each serving, spoon the stew over a slice of bread and sprinkle with parsley.
• Note: if the sauce is too thin, you can add more of the butter and flour mixture.

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.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• For the beef: Place the beef into a large nonreactive bowl and add the wine. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and let marinate overnight in the fridge.
• Drain the beef in a colander with a bowl underneath, reserving the marinade. Place the flour, pepper and some salt in a shallow plate and, working in batches, toss the beef in the flour, shaking off any excess.
• In a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, cook the bacon until the fat has been rendered and the bacon is slightly crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the pot, leaving the fat in the pot and reserving the cooked bacon.
• Working in batches, add the coated beef to the pot with the reserved bacon fat and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes per batch. Transfer the beef from the pot to a bowl and repeat with the remaining beef and seasoned flour until all the beef has been browned. Pour off any excess fat in the pot and increase the heat to high. Pour the sherry into the pot and, using a wooden spoon, scrape up the bits on the bottom of the pot. Pour the liquid over the beef.
• For the bouquet garni: Using kitchen string, tie together the celery, parsley stems, thyme, and bay leaves, making a bouquet garni.
• For the stew: Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat in the same pot used to brown the beef and add the garlic, carrots and onions. Cook until the onions are slightly golden, about 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Add the reserved marinade, beef with juices, cooked bacon and bouquet garni, and bring to a simmer. Cook over medium-low heat, partially covered, until the beef is tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
• In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and blanch the pearl onions for 2 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water, peel and set aside.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over high heat until the foam subsides. Saute the onions until brown spots appear. Add 1 3/4 cups water, bring to a simmer and partially cover. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until they are tender, about 20 minutes. Uncover and cook until the liquid is reduced and the onions are glazed, about 10 minutes.
• Over high heat, melt the remaining tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet and saute the mushrooms until they are golden and all the liquid they have released evaporates, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Wait until the last 15 minutes of cooking the stew to add the pearl onions and mushrooms, and then cook for the remaining 15 minutes. Remove the bouquet garni and skim the fat from the stew. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve stew over roasted fingerling potatoes and garnish with chopped parsley.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the red wine, beef stock, brandy, onion, carrots, garlic, parsley stems, thyme, rosemary, peppercorns, cloves, allspice, and bay leaf. Stir well to blend. Add the beef, and stir. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
• The next day drain the beef, reserving the marinade and vegetables separately. Pat the beef dry with towels, and season it well with salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
• Cut the slab bacon the long way into 1/4-inch-thick slices; then cut these slices into lardons that are 1/2-inch long. Cover the lardons with cold water, bring to a boil, turn down the heat, and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove the lardons and reserving.
• Add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large Dutch oven set over medium heat. Dry off the lardons, add them to the Dutch oven, and cook stirring often, until they are golden. With a slotted spoon transfer the lardons to paper towels to drain.
• In the same Dutch oven, over high heat, brown the drained and dried-off beef in the remaining bacon fat, in batches so the meat browns evenly. When you are done, pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat. Return all of the browned beef to the pot.
• Add the vegetable and herb mixture reserved from the marinade, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring, for 5 minutes.
• Add the reserved marinade liquid and tomato paste. Bring the liquid to a boil, and taste it for seasoning. Cook in the oven, covered for 3 hours.
• After 3 hours, Remove meat and strain sauce. Skim the fat from the stew.
• Make the vegetable garnish: Place the pearl onions in a skillet, cover them with water, add 1 tablespoon of butter, the sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the onions over medium-high heat until they are almost tender. and raise heat to high, and reduce the cooking liquid to 2 tablespoons. Continue to cook the onions, shaking the pan over the heat, until the onions are golden brown and glazed.
• In another skillet set over medium-high heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter; add the mushrooms. Add reserved lardons and salt and pepper to taste. Cook mixture, tossing often, for 7 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, prepare the beurre manie: Cream together 1 tablespoon of softened butter with 1 tablespoon of flour. Roll the mixture into pieces the size of peas.
• Add the cooked onions and mushrooms to the stew. Bring the liquid to a simmer, and add enough beurre manie, bit by bit, stirring constantly, to lightly thicken the sauce.
• Divide the boeuf bourguignon among 6 dinner plates. Serve immediately.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Combine the meat and the red wine. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, remove the meat from the red wine and pat dry. Reserve wine. Toss meat in the flour, shaking off any excess. In a large casserole over high heat, add the bacon and render. Add the butter to the bacon fat and melt. Add the beef and brown on all sides. Remove the meat as it browns to a plate. Add the carrots, onions, and garlic and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the beef back to the pot with the reserved wine, veal stock, bay leaves, thyme, and parsley. Cover and cook for 2 hours over a low heat, until the meat is very tender. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 15 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve with boiled potatoes.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• preheat oven to 350*F.
• heat halve of oil in ovenproof saute pan oven med heat. add half the meat and sear on all sides. season well, remove meat and set aside.
• pout remaining oil in pan and heat. add rest of meat, shallots and garlic. sear on all sides, then return first batch of meat to pan. season with salt and black pepper if needed. sprinkle flour over meat and mix well. cook 4-5 minutes over med heat.
• pour wine into saucepan, add bay leaf and bring to a boil. cook until reduced by 1/2 then pour remaining liquid into saute pan containing meat.
• add beef stock and herbs. bring to a boil. cover pan and cook 2 hours in oven.
• thirty minutes before end of cooking time, heat butter in frying pan over med heat. add pearl onions and season. cook 5 minutes. add mushrooms, season to taste and cook 4 minutes.
• add vegetables to stew and continue cooking in over.
• Serve with toasted bread.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place garlic on large piece of foil. Pour 2 tablespoons wine over garlic. Wrap foil around garlic to enclose. Roast garlic until soft, about 40 minutes. Cool. Press garlic between fingertips to release from skins; set aside.
• Cook bacon in large pot over medium heat until brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels. Pour drippings into small bowl. Return 2 tablespoons to same pot; reserve remainder. Increase heat to high. Working in batches, add beef to pot and brown, about 7 minutes per batch. Using slotted spoon, transfer meat to large bowl.
• Reduce heat to medium-low. Add chopped onion and chopped carrot to pot; sauté 5 minutes. Mix in flour. Return beef and accumulated juices to pot. Stir in tomato paste. Add herb sprigs, bay leaves, roasted garlic and 2 cups wine; simmer 15 minutes. Add 3 cups broth. Cover; simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Uncover; simmer until meat is tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 1/2 hours longer. Discard herb sprigs and bay leaves.
• Cook pearl onions in large saucepan of boiling salted water for 2 minutes. Using 4- to 5-inch-diameter strainer, transfer onions to medium bowl; cool slightly, then peel. Return water to boil. Add carrots and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Transfer to bowl of ice water to cool. Drain. (Bacon, stew and vegetables can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.)
• Heat 2 tablespoons reserved bacon drippings in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; sauté until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add pearl onions to mushrooms; sauté until onions are golden, about 4 minutes. Add carrots; cook until heated through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Bring stew to simmer, thinning with more broth, if desired. Stir bacon and 2/3 of vegetables into stew. Transfer to large bowl. Top stew with remaining vegetables.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Cook bacon in boiling salted water 3 minutes, then drain.
• Pat beef dry and season with salt and pepper. Divide flour and beef between 2 (1-quart) sealable plastic bags, seal, then shake to coat meat.
• Heat 1‚ tablespoons oil and 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a wide 6- to 8-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown beef well on all sides in 2 or 3 batches, without crowding, adding remaining ‚ tablespoon oil as needed. Transfer to a bowl.
• Pour off any excess oil from pot, then add brandy to pot. Deglaze by boiling over high heat 1 minute, stirring and scraping up brown bits, then pour over beef.
• Tie celery, parsley, thyme, bay leaves, and cloves together with kitchen string to make a bouquet garni (tuck cloves into celery so they don't fall out).
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in cleaned pot over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté bacon, stirring, 2 minutes. Add chopped onions, garlic, and carrots, then sauté, stirring, until onions are pale golden, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add wine, meat with juices, and bouquet garni and simmer gently, partially covered, until meat is tender, 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
• While meat simmers, blanch boiling onions in boiling salted water 1 minute and drain in a colander. Rinse under cold running water, then peel.
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then saut boiling onions, stirring occasionally, until browned in patches. Season with salt and pepper. Add 2 cups water (1 1/2 cups if using pearl onions), then simmer, partially covered, until onions are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Boil, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to a glaze, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Heat remaining tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then saut mushrooms, stirring, until golden brown and any liquid mushrooms give off is evaporated, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Stir onions and mushrooms into stew and cook 10 minutes. Remove bouquet garni and skim any fat from surface of stew. Season with salt and pepper.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Marinate the beef for at least 4 hours (best over night) in the red wine mixed with the chopped onion, garlic, bay leaves and fresh peppercorns.
• Remove the meat from the marinade and dry with paper towel. In a container/plate/bowl/bag add 1/4 flour and season with salt and pepper. Add the beef cubes and coat them with flour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
• In a large frying pan fry bacon in olive oil until slightly browned. Place bacon in a large ovenproof casserole.
• Brown the pearl onions and cubed carrots in the same pan; add to casserole.
• Brown the meat in the same pan. Depending on the size of the pan, and if it is not possible to fit all the meat into the pan at one time, do the meat in batches. Store the meat already browned temporarily in a large dish.
• When all the meat has been browned, put it all into the pan with the bacon, onion and carrots.
• Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of remaining flour mixture into frying pan with oil and mix well while continuing to brown (approximately 5 minutes).
• Add, bit by bit, the red wine marinade including onions, garlic, bay leaves and fresh peppercorns.
• Let this cook down for about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add beef broth and last but not least the tomato paste.
• Add to casserole and mix carefully with bacon, pearl onions and meat.
• Cook for 2 hours, or until tender, in oven at 350 degrees fahrenheit.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• In a 6-to-8-quart saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, cook bacon uncovered over medium-low heat until browned, 10 to 15 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate; set aside. Reserve bacon fat.
• Season beef generously with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, dredge beef in flour, shaking off excess. Raise heat to medium. Working in two batches, brown beef in bacon fat on all sides, without crowding, about 10 minutes per batch. Transfer each batch to a bowl.
• Pour 1/2 cup water into pan; bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, to loosen browned bits, until liquid has reduced to a few tablespoons, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 3 minutes. Add tomato paste; cook 1 minute.
• Add carrots, meat (with juices), wine, thyme, and reserved bacon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer over low, stirring occasionally, until meat is tender, but not falling apart, 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
• Skim fat off surface of stew; discard. Stir Roasted Mushrooms and Pearl Onions into beef; season with salt and pepper. Serve, or refrigerate, covered, up to overnight.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Cook and stir beef in the same skillet until browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Sprinkle flour, marjoram, thyme, and pepper over beef. Pour red wine and beef broth into the skillet; stir well. Reduce heat to low and simmer until beef is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Stir onions into the skillet. Add mushrooms. Cook, stirring, until mushrooms are tender and sauce is thick and dark brown, about 30 minutes.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON (BEEF BURGUNDY)

Steps:

• Blanch bacon with 1 cup of water in a nonstick pan, to render and give off enough fat to fry with. Remove bacon into a bowl and set aside.
• In the same pan, throw the beef cubes in, few pieces at a time. Sauté until nicely brown on all sides using rendered fat from bacon and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Then remove browned beef from the pan into the bowl with bacon and set aside.
• In the same fat and pan, brown cubed carrots and sliced onions. Poured out excess fat before the meat and bacon are put back into the pan. Then toss with salt, pepper and flour to coat lightly the meat. Cook till flour in meat turns brown with a light crust. Turn meat and vegetables once while cooking.
• When done, remove the meat and vegetables into a large casserole. Deglaze the pan with red wine, pouring it into the casserole along with the beef stock, almost to cover the meat and vegetables. Stir in the tomatoes and added the herb bouquet. Bring to a simmer and covered. Regulate heat so that liquid simmer very slowly for 4 hours or until the meat is tender and sauce has reduced. It is worth checking the meat every hour and if the level of liquid drops, gradually add half a cup each of the beef stock and red wine.
• When the stew is done, prepare the shallots and mushrooms. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and stir in 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet, add shallots and sauté over moderate heat, gently rolling them till brown evenly. Then add 1 cup of the stock left, salt and pepper and the same herb bouquet used in the stew. Cover and simmer slowly until the shallots are tender, and the liquid evaporates. Then remove the herb bouquet and set the shallots aside.
• In the same skillet, heat remaining oil and butter over high heat and add the mushrooms, tossing them till brown slightly. Then remove from heat. Set the mushrooms aside until needed.
• Pour the contents of the casserole into a sieve set over a saucepan. Simmer the sauce for 2 minutes in the saucepan, allowing the sauce to reduce gently, to give a rich finish to this dish. Season carefully with salt and pepper.
• Wash out the casserole and put back to heat and return the meat and vegetables. Pour sauce over the meat and vegetables into the casserole. Add in the shallots and mushrooms. Cover and simmer for another 2 minutes, gently basting the meat and vegetables with the sauce several times.
• Serve hot in a casserole or arrange on a stew platter over mashed potatoes or favorite cooked pasta and garnish with parsley.

BOEUF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275F, 140C, 130 Fan, Gas Mark 1.
• Cut the beef into 2inch generous chunks and coat with seasoned plain flour
• Over a high heat add a couple of tsps olive oil to a heavy based pan, and briefly brown the meat in batches, remove meat from pan.
• Add the Red onion and pancetta and brown a little (approx 5 mins), then add a good tblsp of flour and mix well. Next add the garlic BUT DO NOT BURN. Return the browned beef to the pan. Gradually add the wine until it almost covers the meat.
• Add the stock, herbs, seasoning and brandy, stir and cook for at least 2 and half hours. Half an hour before the end of cooking add the mushrooms
• When ready sprinkle with parsley and serve with either mashed pototoes and green beans or my favourite potato Dauphinoise and brocolli and cauliflower mixed.

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.