Beef Bourguignon, the classic French
bistro stew — beef slow-braised in red Burgundy wine
and brandy with lardons, root vegetables and
mushrooms.
INGREDIENTS
1 kilogram beef chuck, cut into 3cm cubes
1 teaspoon sea salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons plain flour
3 tablespoons olive oil
150 grams streaky bacon lardons
1 large onion, diced
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery sticks, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato purée
4 tablespoons brandy
500 millilitres full-bodied red wine (such as Burgundy)
500 millilitres beef stock
2 bay leaves
4 fresh thyme sprigs
250 grams chestnut mushrooms, halved
2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
STEPS
1) Pat the beef dry, season with salt and pepper, then
toss in flour to coat.
2) Heat the olive oil in a large casserole over
medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, 3-4
minutes per side, until deeply coloured. Set aside.
3) In the same pot, cook the bacon lardons until crisp.
Add the onion, carrots and celery, and sauté for 5-6
minutes until softened.
4) Stir in the garlic and tomato purée, cooking for 1
minute until fragrant.
5) Return the beef to the pot. Pour in the brandy and
let it bubble for a minute, then add the red wine,
scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
6) Add the beef stock, bay leaves and thyme sprigs.
Bring to a simmer.
7) Cover and transfer to a 160°C oven, or simmer
gently on the hob, for 2.5 to 3 hours, until the beef is
fork-tender.
8) Stir in the mushrooms for the final 30 minutes of
cooking.
9) Remove the bay leaves and thyme stalks, taste and
adjust seasoning, then scatter with parsley.
We served ours with that rich Robuchon butter
pommes purée from the last video — go check it out if
you haven’t already.
NOTES
For an even deeper flavour, cook a day ahead and
reheat gently, as the dish improves overnight. Warm
the brandy slightly before adding for a cleaner flame if
you choose to flambé it off.
#beefstew #comfortfood #slowcooked #redwinebraise
#homecooking #frenchcuisine #classicrecipe
