Slow-Cooked Provencal Beef Stew
Recipe from EatingWell

The flavors in a slow-cooked beef stew improve as it sits for a day or two, so it is a perfect make-ahead for a dinner party. Buy nicely marbled meat, such as chuck, for this recipe.


Slow-Cooked Provencal Beef Stew


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Prep Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 4 hrs
Servings: 10 servings, about 1 1/3 cups each
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Ingredients
 
savings in
 
  • 2    large green leek leaves, (about 6 inches long)On Sale
  • 1    bay leafOn Sale
  • 1  stalk  celeryOn Sale
  • 2  sprigs  fresh parsley, with stemsOn Sale
  • 3  sprigs  fresh thymeOn Sale
  • 1  2-inch-long strip  tangerine or orange peelOn Sale
  • 3  tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil, dividedOn Sale
  • 2  ounces  pancetta, or bacon, cut into 1/2-inch piecesOn Sale
  • 3  pounds  beef stew meat, such as chuck, trimmed and cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch piecesOn Sale
  • 2  teaspoons  kosher salt, dividedOn Sale
  • 1/2  teaspoon  freshly ground pepper, dividedOn Sale
  • 2    medium yellow or red onions, choppedOn Sale
  • 3  cloves  garlic, choppedOn Sale
  • 1 1/2  pounds  carrots, sliced into 1-inch roundsOn Sale
  • 2  tablespoons  tomato pasteOn Sale
  • 1  pound  button mushrooms, halved if small, quartered if largeOn Sale
  • 1  bottle (750 ml)  full-bodied red wine, such as Burgundy or Pinot NoirOn Sale
  • 1/2  cup  chopped fresh parsleyOn Sale
  •     Freshly grated zest of 1 tangerine, or orangeOn Sale

Directions
1.
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
2.
To assemble bouquet garni: Place one leek leaf on the counter. Top with bay leaf, celery stalk, parsley sprigs, thyme sprigs and tangerine (or orange) peel. Place the second leek leaf on top and tie the bundle together in four spots with kitchen string. Set aside.
3.
To prepare stew: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in an ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pancetta (or bacon) and cook until barely brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving any drippings in the pot.
4.
Add beef in batches (do not crowd the pot) and cook until browned on all sides. Transfer to a large bowl and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
5.
Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pot and add onions and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the onions are translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add carrots and cook, stirring, until they begin to soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste. Season with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Transfer the mixture to the bowl with the beef.
6.
Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pot. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl; set aside.
7.
Pour wine into the pot and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Return the browned beef, the carrot mixture and the reserved pancetta (or bacon) to the pot along with the bouquet garni. Press down on the beef and vegetables, making sure to submerge them completely in the wine; if necessary, add just enough hot water to make sure they are covered. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the pot and press it directly on top of the stew, covering it completely.
8.
Transfer the stew to the oven and cook, with the lid off, until the beef is tender enough to cut with a fork, about 3 hours. Check every hour to be sure the ingredients stay submerged in liquid during the entire cooking time. If too much wine evaporates, add a little hot water to make up for the loss. During the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the reserved mushrooms.
9.
Remove and discard the bouquet garni. Combine chopped parsley and tangerine (or orange) zest in a small bowl and scatter on top of the stew just before serving.

Tip:
MAKE AHEAD TIP: Prepare through Step 8, let cool to room temperature, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat at a gentle simmer on the stovetop for about 30 minutes or in a 350 degrees F oven for 1 1/4 hours before serving.
Equipment: Kitchen string, parchment paper

Nutrition information
Calories 351, Total Fat 15 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Monounsaturated Fat 7 g, Cholesterol 84 mg, Sodium 419 mg, Carbohydrate 14 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 26 g, Potassium 637 mg. Daily Values: Vitamin A 210%, Vitamin C 20%, Iron 20%. Exchanges: Vegetable 2,Lean Meat 3,Fat 1. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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Recommended Recipe:
French Country Beef Stew
French Country Beef Stew

In France, this classic stew made with beef, vegetables and red wine would be known as a daube. Slow-cooking the surprisingly lean beef shanks melts and softens the connective tissue, producing succulent results. If you prefer, use nonalcoholic wine. Serve with barley to soak up the delicious sauce.

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