Recipe of the Week: French Beef Stew w/Red Wine

After close to four months from placing the order, we are finally receiving our AGA appliances today!  I'm told it's worth the wait.   As I've said before, I'm not a very diligent or explorative cook, but I figured I better become one even if I'm the only one who appreciates it.  So, my new years goal was to start cooking something new each week.  Outside of my regular 'mom' meals like basketti, tacos, and pizza.

I'm on pinterest so much that I decided to do one pinterest recipe a week.  Usually Wednesday nights.  My oldest daughter, who's a foodie, usually joins us and we rate how well we like it.  I hope you'll join me and also let me know what some of your faves are too.

                                                          source

This was seriously heaven.   It melted in our mouths.

I like quick and easy meals, but this one looked like it was worth the extra effort that it involved.    It was a little more than I bargained for, because my baby was sick and I got distracted a couple of times. I missed a few steps like adding the garlic and onion to the marinade until just before cooking, but it turned out just fine.   I had one happy family after we ate this up!  Btw, I wasn't sure about adding the pitted olives, but did anyway, and ended up making it really delish.

Oh, and the mashed potatoes didn't call for butter, but I added a stick anyway:)  I left the garlic out of the potatoes too.

Daube Provençale (French Beef Stew with Red Wine)

Recipe from Home Made Winter, by Yvette van Boven.  Serves 8.

• 3 lb stew beef, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 (750-ml) bottle Cote du Rhone [I used regular red, cooking wine and it was fine, but Yvette recommends Cote du Rhone, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, or Minervois]
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme {I used dried}
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch slices
• 1 orange, washed well and cut into 8 wedges [I substituted grapefruit]
• 1 large onion, peeled and cut into rings
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
• olive oil
• 1 6-oz can tomato paste
• 3 1/2 oz. pitted black olives

1. Season meat with salt and pepper on all sides.  Place meat in a big bowl with wine, thyme, bay leaves, carrots, orange, onion, and garlic.  Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 12 hours, and preferably 24 hours.
2. Heat some olive oil over medium heat in a large stockpot.  Remove the meat from the marinade and brown the pieces in the oil on all sides.  Pour the marinade (including the oranges, bay leaves, etc.) over the meat and bring to a boil.  Boil for 5 minutes, skimming any foam from the surface.  Lower the heat to a simmer, stir in the tomato paste, and add 4 1/2 c. water.  Cover, and let stew on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. 15 minutes before the stew is ready, add the pitted olives.  Let cook for 15 minutes on medium heat without the lid to thicken the stew.
4. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Serves 6-8.

• 6 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• salt
• 8 cloves garlic, cut in quarters
• 1/2 c. heavy cream

1. Place cubed potatoes in a large saucepan.  Cover with cold water, salt liberally, and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Boil for 10-15 minutes until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, skimming starch foam from top occasionally and checking to keep from boiling over – lower heat if necessary.  Drain potatoes and place in a blender.
2. Return saucepan to heat, lower heat to low, and add garlic and heavy cream.  Heat until garlic is fragrant and cream begins to simmer, then add to blender.  Blend until potatoes are a totally smooth puree.  Add water or skim milk as necessary to even out texture.

What are you cooking up lately?  Have a favorite?

xx

sharon