Alfa...or anyone...need the recipe for red wine beef stew.

[classicqueen]

I searched the recipe board and can't find it.  My copy is lost on an old crashed computer.

Please share!  I really want to make this on NYD.

[alfa]

Give me a sec and I'll dig it up.

[sukierae72]

I'm trying my hand at Julia Child's beef bourguignon for NYE. We'll be serving it over polenta, since one of my dinner guests is gluten-free (normally, I'd use noodles).

[classicqueen]

I was going to look up a beef bourguignon, but I have made Alfa's recipe and it is truly the best beef stew I've ever had. Better even then mom's old recipe which I love (I need to find that too for next time).

[alfa]

Here you go....
Red Wine Beef Stew with Apricots and Prunes
This recipe is good with either beef or lamb. The secret ingredient is time. The longer and slower you cook this stew the better it will taste.

Sides: couscous, noodles, or just great crusty bread.
Serves 6

Ingredients Directions
3 Lb stew meat (such as beef chuck or leg of lamb) cut into 2" cubes

Olive oil for frying Preheat oven to 450F.
Dry the meat well on paper towels.
Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a large fire proof casserole (9-10" in diameter by 3" deep) over moderately high heat . Brown meat on all sides in batches, keeping meat cubes from touching each other in the casserole. Remove meat to a large bowl and set aside. Add more oil between batches as needed.
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2 sliced carrots
1 sliced onion
3 mashed garlic cloves Add vegetables to the casserole, reduce heat to med-low, and cook covered until brown, stirring occasionally, 7-8 minutes.
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1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp flour Add the meat and its juices back to the casserole. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the meat and vegetables and stir well. Put the casserole in the oven for 4 minutes. Toss, and return to the oven for 4 more minutes. Remove casserole from the oven and turn the oven down to 325F.
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1 bottle red wine (e.g. Cabernet, Shiraz, Pinot Noir)
2-3 cups beef stock
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 bay leaf
A sprig of rosemary (optional) Add wine, stock, tomato paste, bay leaf, and rosemary to the casserole and bring to simmer on top of the stove, stirring to dissolve tomato paste. Cover the casserole, set it in the middle of the oven, and cook for 3 hours. If you have time, use a lower temperature and cook longer: 300F for 4 hours, 275F for 5 hours.
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12 dry apricots
12 prunes
1/3 cup golden raisins One hour before the end of cooking time, add dry fruit to the casserole. The stew can be eaten on the day it was cooked, or reheated for up to 4 days.

[alfa]

A few changes/suggestions:

1) Cut the meat back to 2 lbs and add 1 lb of quartered red or Yukon gold potatoes.

2) Definitely go for the longer cooking time. It's better.

3) Rough chop the apricots, so they kind of dissolve. You can leave the prunes whole.

[classicqueen]

Thanks so much!!

[alfa]

I haven't made this in soooo long. It's definitely time!

[classicqueen]

Ditto. My son is home from college and it's nice to have someone with me who will eat good foods like this. I'll be home all day NYD so this is the perfect dish to make.

[bobloblaw]

Minus the fruit, this is my exact recipe for braised short ribs. It's always delicious and always a hit. I make it every year for Christmas dinner. I'm going to have to give this a try.

[cookie831]

I've been making this recipe since the GDT cookbook came out. Everyone loves it! Thank you!

[Deleted]

I'm trying my hand at Julia Child's beef bourguignon for NYE. We'll be serving it over polenta, since one of my dinner guests is gluten-free (normally, I'd use noodles).

My DH dared me to make that recipe. I took him up on the challenge. It was an all day event to put it together and cook but I did it! The worst part was that in order to let the flavors blend, it is meant to be served the next day! The kitchen smelled so good and our mouths were watering, but we did as recommended and served the next day. It was outstanding! I hope that yours turned out the same and you thoroughly enjoyed it.

[delfie]

Oh I definitely need to try this. Thanks!

[celtickat]

This looks great. Thanks