Description
Rich French culinary traditions shine through this classic beef bourguignon, a hearty stew simmering with tender meat, red wine, and aromatic herbs. Comfort meets elegance in this soul-warming dish that invites you to savor each deeply flavored, meltingly tender bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) beef chuck, cut into large chunks
- 6 ounces (170 grams) bacon, diced
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 pearl onions, peeled
- 8 ounces (227 grams) mushrooms, sliced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups red wine (preferably Burgundy)
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the culinary workspace to a moderate temperature, ensuring even heat distribution for optimal cooking.
- Render the bacon in a robust cast-iron vessel, transforming it into crisp, golden fragments. Extract and reserve the savory morsels.
- Methodically sear the beef cuts in calculated batches, developing a rich caramelized exterior that locks in profound flavor profiles.
- Introduce aromatic vegetables into the same cooking vessel, allowing carrots, onions, and garlic to soften and release their nuanced essences.
- Incorporate tomato paste, stirring vigorously to awaken its concentrated flavors. Deglaze the pan with robust red wine, capturing every intricate browned remnant.
- Harmoniously reunite the previously prepared bacon and seared beef with the wine-infused base. Complement the mixture with fragrant herbs and deep, hearty stock.
- Transfer the ensemble to the heated environment, allowing slow, gentle transformation for approximately two hours until the proteins surrender to tenderness.
- During the final culinary phase, introduce caramelized pearl onions and earthy mushrooms, sautéed in luxurious butter until achieving a golden, glistening finish.
- Fine-tune the seasoning with judicious salt and pepper, creating a symphony of flavors. Present this rustic masterpiece alongside crusty artisan bread or silken mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Bacon fat adds incredible depth and richness to the dish, so don’t discard the bacon grease while cooking.
- Searing meat in small batches prevents overcrowding and ensures a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in flavor.
- Choose a full-bodied red wine like Burgundy or Pinot Noir for authentic French taste and robust flavor profile.
- Use chuck roast or beef brisket for the most tender and melt-in-your-mouth results, as these cuts have excellent marbling.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 502
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg