Janine's Beef Bourguignon

A beef stew is a great crock-pot dish that can joyfully feed you for 2 or more meals, and it just gets better with time in the fridge.

This recipe was submitted by my friend, and North Woods Ranch fan. Thank you, Janine!

Serves 6

Have these kitchen tools ready:

Crock pot

Large frying pan, on med-high heat (I like cast iron)

Food processor (to avoid so much chopping)

Cutting board

Chopping knife

Ingredients: 

3 oz Prosciutto or 4 pieces bacon

Olive Oil

1 large sweet onion, chopped

Butter

salt and pepper

3 cloves garlic, minced

1.5 cups chopped mushrooms (crimini or baby bella)

2 carrots, chopped

2 lbs Stew Beef

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup red wine, plus one tablespoon

1/2 cup chicken broth

2 tablespoons brandy

1.5 teaspoons dried thyme

2 teaspoons fresh or dried parsley

3 oz tomato paste

1 bay leaf

In food processor, process 6 slices (about 3 ounces) of prosciutto or bacon. (I always have this in the house and seldom have bacon.  Use bacon if you have…but I like the prosciutto better.)  Sauté in 1 teaspoon of oil using large frying pan on medium heat. When beginning to crisp, add to crock pot.  In processor, rough-chop (use pulse) 1 large sweet onion.  Sauté in 1 teaspoon of oil and 1 teaspoon of butter, seasoning with salt and pepper. In processor, mince 3 cloves garlic.  Add to onions.  Let brown. In processor, rough-chop mushrooms (I like crimini or baby bella).  Scoop onions/garlic out of fry pan and dump in crock pot. Put mushrooms in fry pan with another teaspoon of oil. In processor, rough-chop two carrots. Add to crock pot.  When mushrooms begin to take on color, transfer to crock pot.  

On cutting board, season 2 lb. stew beef with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with enough flour to coat/toss (a 1/2 cup?).  Add another teaspoon of oil into pan and add half the beef and brown for a few min on all sides.  Add to crock pot.  Repeat with 2nd half of beef.  

While meat is browning, to crock add: 1/2 C chicken broth, 2 tablespoons brandy (I keep a small bottle of Christian Brother's on hand—not good enough to drink…but good enough to use in cooking—just a couple of tablespoons makes a big difference in soups, stews, and even French toast), 1.5 teaspoons dried thyme, a bit of fresh or dried parsley, 3 oz (1/2 small can) tomato paste, bay leaf.  Stir.  Add meat to crock.  

Lastly, add 1/2 C red wine to deglaze and scrape up any browned bits, pour into crockpot. Stir again. Cover and follow crockpot's time/instructions for stew. About an hour before it's done, brighten and freshen with 1 Tablespoon of red wine. Stir, re-lid, and cook till done! :)

"No…not quite as good as Julia's, but it's a nice way to have dinner mess done and cleaned up in the morning!" ~ Janine