Anyway, a dutch oven is a much-needed gift that I have been dropping hints about to my mom and Awa and basically anyone else that will listen. Nothing like rubbing it in their faces by actually writing it down on a public forum for all to see. Hope Santa (or anyone) is listening! I think the ability to go from stovetop to oven is key for the many recipes that I salivate over, and wait, to make.
One of these is Crepes of Wrath’sBoeuf Bourguignon which when I saw it immediately got pinned, liked, favorited and pretty much whatever else one could do to a recipe online. Well, when John’s friend, P, was up here this weekend (working as a volunteer for Hurricane Sandy efforts), he stayed with us for one night. After a week of trudging in the cold, wet, weather, I couldn’t think of a better dish to give him than a hearty stew like this. But, in the crockpot. Julia Child will have to wait until after Christmas.
Boeuf Bourguignon
Serves: 4
2 pounds beef round steak, cubed
5 tablespoons flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 pint mushrooms, quartered
2 1/2 cups beef stock
1 pound white potatoes, cleaned and cut into bite-sized pieces
1 white onion, sliced
3 carrots, diced into bite-sized pieces
1 cup red wine
1 sprig thyme
3 sprigs rosemary
1 bay leaf
Combine the cubes of steak, 3 tablespoons of flour, salt, and pepper. In a large saute pan, melt half the butter. Add the steak and brown on all sides (3-5 minutes). Transfer to the crockpot. Melt the remaining butter in the same pan and cook the mushrooms until browned (5-7 minutes). Transfer the mushrooms to the crockpot. Add the beef stock to the pan and warm through. Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour, making sure to scrape up all the brown bits left in the pan. Transfer this mixture to the crockpot and add the potatoes, onion, carrots, and red wine. Stir well. Add the thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until you are ready to serve. Serve immediately.
Until the next time my oven is on…