Beef Braised With Red Wine And Mushrooms

• 1/2 cup dried porcini mushrooms (about 1/2 ounce)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 1/4 pounds lean beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup pearl onions (about 16)
• 6 cups chopped cremini mushrooms (about 1 pound)
• 1 1/2 cups (1/4-inch) slices carrot (about 2 large)
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium beef broth
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 4 thyme sprigs
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

1. Combine porcini mushrooms and 1 cup boiling water in a small bowl; let stand 30 minutes. Drain mushrooms through a sieve into a bowl, reserving liquid. Chop mushrooms; set aside.
2. Sprinkle beef with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half of beef to pan; saute 5 minutes or until lightly browned on all sides. Remove beef from pan with a slotted spoon; place in a bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining beef.
3. Add onions to pan; saute 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Add cremini mushrooms and carrot; saute 3 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Add beef, porcini mushrooms, porcini liquid, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, broth, and next 4 ingredients (through bay leaves); bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 1/2 hours or until beef is tender. Uncover and cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Combine 1 tablespoon water and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add cornstarch mixture to pan; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute or until liquid thickens. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves.
5. Wine note: Mushrooms and merlot are a natural match. An affordable California version like Buena Vista Carneros Merlot 2004 ($20) provides classic merlot flavors of plum and black cherry fruit along with a touch of earth and smoky oak that marries beautifully with mushrooms. The wine's rich flavor and firm tannins make it a perfect choice for flavorful beef, as well. --Jeffery Lindenmuth

porcini mushrooms, boiling water, lean beef stew meat, salt, freshly ground black pepper, olive oil, pearl onions, cremini mushrooms, carrot, beef broth, red wine, thyme, garlic, bay leaves, water, cornstarch

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/beef-braised-with-red-wine-mushrooms (may not work)