Beef Bourguignon

Boeuf Bourguignon

 

The classic beef bourguignon is beef stewed with aromatic vegetables, herbs and spices and is much like  beef stew which is cooked over the stove top not oven roasted.   After the mixture cooks slowly the juices are strained off, reduced and finished with a butter-flour mixture.  The wine infused sauce makes for a dense, flavorful and silky sauce.

4 slices bacon chopped roughly

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 lbs. lean stewing beef, cut into 2-inch cubes

2 carrots chopped

1 onion chopped

6 oz mushrooms

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground

1/8 cup chopped parsley

2 tablespoons flour

2-3 cups red wine 

2 -3 cups beef stock

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 garlic cloves minced

½ tablespoon herbs de Provence

1 bay leaf, preferably fresh

FOR: beurre manié

Equal parts butter and flour mix together. (2 tablespoon butter and 2 tablespoon flour).

Heat oven to 450 degrees.

Put the tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan or oven safe casserole over medium – high heat on the stove top.  Sauté bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon to a side dish with a slotted spoon. Pat the beef cubes dry and sauté until brown on all sides in the remaining drippings.

Once browned, remove to the side plate with the bacon.  Then add the onions, carrot, mushrooms and celery and sauté 4-5 minutes.

Add back the bacon and meat and toss well with the herbs, bay leaf and salt and pepper.  Simmer for 8 or so minutes and then toss, add wine, garlic, tomato paste and bake in oven covered where you have reduced the heat to 325°F for about 3 hours. 

 

 

Check to see if tender stirring a few times.

Drain the mixture saving the juices to make the sauce. Add the juices to the pot, stir and reduce for about 10 minutes. Add in beurre manié.  Stir and cook for about 4-5 minutes until it begins to coat the back of spoon..

Replace the beef and vegetables. And serve over egg noodles.

TIPS:

·        Thyme is often used as well or in place of the Herbs de Province.

·        Leftovers will make a great beef vegetable soup.  (cut up beef and vegetables and add beef broth)

As always be your own Creative Dump Cook and change this recipe to what YOU have on hand!