The Best Beef Bourguignon

"Recipe courtesy of Barefoot Contessa This looked so good! For serving: Country bread or Sour Dough, toasted or grilled and rubbed with garlic clove 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, optional"
 
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photo by Sharlene~W photo by Sharlene~W
photo by Sharlene~W
Ready In:
1hr 45mins
Ingredients:
17
Serves:
6
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ingredients

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directions

  • Preheat the oven to 250°F.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven.
  • Add the bacon and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is lightly browned.
  • Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a large plate.
  • Dry the beef cubes with paper towels and then sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
  • In batches in single layers, sear the beef in the hot oil for 3 to 5 minutes, turning to brown on all sides.
  • Remove the seared cubes to the plate with the bacon and continue searing until all the beef is browned.
  • Set aside.
  • Toss the carrots, and onions, 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of pepper in the fat in the pan and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly browned.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  • Add the Cognac, stand back, and ignite with a match to burn off the alcohol.
  • Put the meat and bacon back into the pot with the juices.
  • Add the bottle of wine plus enough beef broth to almost cover the meat.
  • Add the tomato paste and thyme.
  • Bring to a simmer, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place it in the oven for about 1 1/4 hours or until the meat and vegetables are very tender when pierced with a fork.
  • Combine 2 tablespoons of butter and the flour with a fork and stir into the stew.
  • Add the frozen onions.
  • Sauté the mushrooms in 2 tablespoons of butter for 10 minutes until lightly browned and then add to the stew.
  • Bring the stew to a boil on top of the stove, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Season to taste.
  • To serve, toast the bread in the toaster or oven.
  • Rub each slice on 1 side with a cut clove of garlic.
  • For each serving, spoon the stew over a slice of bread and sprinkle with parsley.

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Reviews

  1. The layers of rich favor that you get from such a short amount of cooking time on this dish are amazing. I served it at a small dinner party (in the winter) and it was a complete hit! I served it French style by having it as the first course and a salad with assorted cheeses to follow the main dish. Very fun party and great dish!
     
  2. I made this recently and it was absolutely delicious. Followed the recipe almost to the letter (I used brandy instead of cognac, and fresh onions) and the flavor was deep and rich (be sure to use a good red wine). It's a company worthy dish and the best part is you can make it ahead of time and just heat it up, because it's actually better the next day. Well worth the effort, I promise!
     
  3. Unbelievable dish. I have never made this, so was apprehensive, BUT it's Ina Garten's recipe and I have her At Home book and Family Style books which are absolutely brilliant. I collect cookbook, have put together 2 fundraisers, make chocolates, yaddayadda, so when I think something is good, IT IS. It is 10 x better the next day. The taste is perfect. I didn't really measure but I didn't use an entire bottle of burgandy, only about 3/4, the rest was Campbells beef broth (in paper box). Be careful not to brown too much. I also just cooked the meat for 1 hour and not 1 1/4 hour. Next time will try that. I couldn't find frozen onions, but I will check Pusateri's (in Toronto). I got my meat at Brunos. 2 pounds though, next time more, cause it goes fast. I recommend mashed potatoes and and green veggie, like peas, green beans. Delicious. I also went crazy over Ina's carrot pineapple cake, pear apple crisp, chicken piccatta and couscous with shallots.
     
  4. Holy COW this is good! Hubby said he'd eat this over steak any day. That's really saying something coming from my hubby! Thanks for sharing.
     
  5. A friend made this for me when I was visiting on vacation. It was so delicious I wanted to lick the plate! Of course when I got home I rushed out to gather the ingredients and make it myself. I substituted brandy for cognac (be prepared for a LARGE flame--she isn't kidding when she says stand back--at least it doesn't last long). I also felt the frozen whole onions get cooked enough with this method. I would add them with the carrots next time. I ended up picking them out and simmering them for quite a while in a separate pan for at least a half hour more than indicated in Ina's recipe. Otherwise outstanding!
     
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Tweaks

  1. A friend made this for me when I was visiting on vacation. It was so delicious I wanted to lick the plate! Of course when I got home I rushed out to gather the ingredients and make it myself. I substituted brandy for cognac (be prepared for a LARGE flame--she isn't kidding when she says stand back--at least it doesn't last long). I also felt the frozen whole onions get cooked enough with this method. I would add them with the carrots next time. I ended up picking them out and simmering them for quite a while in a separate pan for at least a half hour more than indicated in Ina's recipe. Otherwise outstanding!
     

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