Boeuf Bourguignon

Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 tbsp good olive oil

8 ounces dry cured center cut applewood smoked bacon, diced

2 1/2 lbs chuck beef cut into 1-inch cubes

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 pound carrots, sliced diagonally into 1-inch chunks

2 yellow onions, sliced

2 teaspoons chopped garlic (2 cloves)

1/2 cup Cognac

1 (750 ml.) bottle good dry red wine such as Cote du Rhone or Pinot Noir

1 can (2 cups) beef broth

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (1/2 teaspoon dried)

4 tbsp unsalted butter at room temperature, divided

3 tbsp all-purpose flour

1 lb frozen whole onions

1 lb fresh mushrooms stems discarded, caps thickly sliced

1 tbsp finely chopped flat leaf (Italian) parsley

Directions:

1.              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.

2.              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.

3.              Toss the carrots, and onions, 1 tbsp 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.

4.              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.

5.              Combine 2 tbsp of butter and the flour with a fork and stir into the stew. Add the frozen onions. Saute the mushrooms in 2 tbsp 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.

6.              Serve in bowl and garnish with finely chopped flat leaf parsley. Optionally, serve with toasted bread or on pasta.