INSTRUCTIONS
1
Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Heat to 325ºF.
2
Season beef cubes generously with the salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil and bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, just until bacon is browned but not crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside. In same pan, brown beef in a single layer and cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove from pan and set aside. Repeat until all beef is browned.
3
Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon fat. Add shallots and season to taste with salt and pepper. Let shallots cook briefly for a minute or two until just soft. Add brandy and let it reduce. Add tomato paste, garlic, and herbes de Provence, stirring to incorporate, and sauté for one minute.
4
Add wine, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon and bring to a boil. Add in tomatoes and their liquid, the orange zest, the beef (along with accumulated juices), and bacon to the pot.
5
Finally, add carrots and bring to a simmer. Cover and slide into the oven.
6
Cook the stew, stirring every 45 minutes, until the meat is fork-tender, 2 to 3 hours.
7
Before serving, skim off any surface fat (if there is any), season to taste with salt and pepper, and stir in the parsley.
Reviews
Made this in honor of Julia Child. She would approve the results. Bon appetit.
- Karen
One of the best stews I've ever made. Delicious!
- Susan
I had to leave off the shallots and garlic, due to my husband's GI issues, and I left off the brandy, as I've never much liked it. But everything else, I followed to the letter. When I got to the point of adding everything back into the pot to put in the oven, I was skeptical it was going to turn out. It wasn't until that last stirring of the pot when everything finally came together. That last hour of cooking was when all the magic happened, and everything started to look and smell like it should. When it finally came out of the oven, it was the most delicious beef dish I ever made! Now my only problem will be how many times my husband will ask me to make this again!
- Susan
This stew is excellent. I did add some potatoes at the request of my wife and it was great.
- Jon
We are doing two weeks of countries of the world starting here. The stew was amazing. We did serve it over a small bed of steamed rice. The family loved it.
- Carl
I have made this recipe numerous times and it is easy and delicious! I haveserved it with mash potatoes and or Jasmine rice. Both are great.
- Nancy Rambasek
