To make the rich, brown sauce that is key to the flavor of this dish,
it is important not to rush the initial searing of the meat. To make
peeling the pearl onions easier, soak them first in warm water for 15 minutes.
Serves 10 to 12
Ingredients
5 to 6 pounds stewing beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons salt, plus more for water
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
8 tablespoons canola oil
1 bottle (750-ml) red Burgundy wine
8 ounces pancetta, or other thick bacon, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
2 onions, cut into 1/8-inch-thick rounds
5 carrots (about 1 pound), peeled, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
3 parsnips (about 1 pound), peeled, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
1 dried bay leaf
3 sprigs fresh thyme
5 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
10 whole black peppercorns
4 pounds (8 to 10) Yukon gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 pound pearl onions, peeled
1 1/2 pounds button mushrooms, cleaned, cut into quarters
10 to 12 small sprigs fresh oregano, for garnish
Directions
Place beef in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, 2
teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle flour mixture over
beef; toss to coat beef evenly.
Heat a 12-inch heavy-bottom skillet over medium heat. Add about 1
tablespoon canola oil; swirl to coat bottom of skillet. Heat oil to
just below smoking point. Test by placing one piece of beef in pan; it
should sizzle the moment it touches the pan. If beef spits, sputters,
and smokes, pan is too hot; remove it from the heat to cool. If beef
does not sizzle, pan is not hot enough; wait a minute or two more.
Brown beef in about 8 manageable batches: Arrange 1/8 of the meat in
skillet so cubes do not touch. Cook until dark crust has formed and
beef easily releases from pan when lifted with tongs, about 3 minutes.
Brown all sides of each piece in this manner. Transfer first batch of
browned beef to large Dutch oven. Return skillet to heat. Deglaze
skillet: Pour in 1/8 of the wine (about 3 ounces); use a wooden spoon
to loosen bits that have cooked onto skillet. Pour wine and deglazed
juices into Dutch oven. Return skillet to heat. Quickly wipe out with
paper towel. Add another tablepoon canola oil; repeat process of
browning beef cubes and deglazing skillet.
When last batch of beef is browned and skillet is deglazed, return
skillet to medium-low heat. Add pancetta; cook, stirring occasionally,
until golden brown, about 10 minutes. With slotted spoon, transfer
pancetta to Dutch oven. Pour half the oil from skillet into a small
bowl; set aside. In oil that remains in skillet, cook half the sliced
onions, carrots, and parsnips, stirring often, until onions are
transparent, and carrots and parsnips have softened, about 10 minutes.
With slotted spoon, transfer to Dutch oven. Cook remaining half of
vegetables in reserved oil from skillet; transfer to Dutch oven.
Prepare bouquet garnish: Place bay leaf, thyme, parsley, and
peppercorns on square of cheesecloth; tie with kitchen twine; add to
Dutch oven. Pour enough water into Dutch oven to barely cover meat,
about 2 quarts. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and gently simmer, partly
covered, until beef is tender, about 2 1/2 hours.
Meanwhile, place potatoes in a medium saucepan; cover with salted
water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat; simmer,
uncovered, until tender. Warm cream in a small pan over medium heat.
Drain potatoes; when cool enough to handle, press through ricer into
medium bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Cut
1 stick butter into chunks; add to potatoes, and whisk to incorporate.
Drizzle in hot cream, whisking constantly. Whisk in 2 teaspoons salt,
1/2 teaspoon pepper, and the nutmeg. Set aside.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter;
add pearl onions, and saute until golden, about 10 minutes. Remove from
heat; add to Dutch oven. Return skillet to heat; add remaining 2
tablespoons butter, and melt. Add mushrooms; cook just until mushrooms
release liquid, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to Dutch oven. Continue to
simmer stew until beef is very tender and pearl onions are very soft,
about 30 minutes more. Remove bouquet garni; discard.
Heat oven to 475 degrees. Spoon stew into individual ovenproof ramekins
about 5 inches wide and 3 inches tall. Top each with large spoonful
(about 1 cup) reserved mashed potatoes. Garnish each with oregano
sprig. Place ramekins on baking sheet; bake until crust is golden,
about 15 minutes. Serve hot.
From Martha Stewart Living
Read more at Marthastewart.com: Beef Bourguignon - Martha Stewart Recipes
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