Beef Bourguignon
- 2.5 lbs stew beef
- 1/2 lb bacon cut (matchstick slices)
- garlic
- bouquet garni (parsley, thyme, sage)
- 1 bottle red wine
- 1 cup small whole mushrooms
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 large onions
- 1.5 lbs. onions (finely chopped)
- 1 carrot
- 2 tbl butter
- cloves, peppercorns, bay leaf
- 1 glass grappa or brandy
- It is imperative to use some of the cheapest cuts of beef cuts for this dish. Only these cuts will withstand the long cooking.
- Cut 1" cubes with a sharp knife. Lay the meat at the bottom of a large nonreactive dish.
- Add the herbs, garlic, chopped carrot and 2 large onions and peppercorns.
- Add the wine and grappa and mix.
- Cover and leave in the fridge for the night.
- Fish the meat out (you'll need the marinade later).
- Pat dry with kitchen paper. If the meat is wet it won't brown properly and you will lose some flavor.
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large saute pan and saute the meat by small batches.
- Brown each meat cube on every side.
- Add the strained marinade liquid, tomatoe paste and few leaves of sage, parsley and thyme join the meat.
- In a sauce pan, prepare a roux by melting 4 tbsp butter with the same quantity of flour. Add the roux to the pot, mix, cover and bake in a 350 oven for 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, let's prepare the toppings. Start by cutting your dried bacon into julienne - small sticks. You can boil it for a minute before frying if you want. Then fry slowly in a saucepan until browned all over. Reserve.
- Peel your small onions. You can plunge them in a pot of boiling water for a few seconds to help. Then fry them for a few minutes in the remaining fat from the bacon.
- Finally, cut the champignons mushrooms into strips.
- Saute for a few minutes.
- Add everything to the pot and cook for a further 30 minutes. Taste to see if you need more salt or pepper.
- Serve with boiled potatoes, (the traditional garnish) or as I prefer with a a half potato and half celery root puree.
stew beef, bacon, garlic, bouquet garni, red wine, mushrooms, tomato, onions, onions, carrot, butter, glass
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/beef-bourguignon-50054682 (may not work)