Beef bourguignon - bon appetit

8 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
8ouncesBacon, coarsely chopped
3poundsWell-trimmed boneless beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes (from 7-bone chuck roast)
cupAll purpose flour
poundsBoiling onions, peeled
¾poundsLarge carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
12Large garlic cloves, peeled (left whole)
3cupsCanned beef broth
½cupCognac or brandy
2(750 ml) bottles red Burgundy wine
poundsMushrooms
cupFresh thyme OR
2tablespoonsDried thyme
1tablespoonDark brown sugar
1tablespoonTomato paste

Directions

Preheat oven to 325F. Saute bacon in heavy large Dutch oven over high heat until brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Season beef generously with salt and pepper; coat with ⅓ cup flour, using all of the flour.

Working in 3 batches, brown beef in same pot over high heat, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer meat to large bowl. Add onions and carrots to same pot and saute until light brown, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1 minute. Transfer vegetables to bowl with beef.

Add 1 cup broth and Cognac to pot; boil until reduced to glaze, scraping up browned bits, about 8 minutes. Return meat and vegetables and their juices to pot. Add wine, mushrooms, thyme, sugar, tomato paste and 2 cups broth. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Cover pot and place in oven. Cook until beef is tender, about 1 hour 20 minutes.

Ladle liquid from stew into large saucepan. Spoon off fat. Boil liquid until reduced to 2¾ cups, about 40 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Pour liquid back over beef and vegetables. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.) Rewarm over low heat before serving.

From the Burgundy & Lyonnais region of France Bon Appetit/May 94 Typed by Didi Pahl