Bargemens Beef Stew Recipes

ULTIMATE BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300˚ F.
• Heat the oil in a large (11- to 12-inch) Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until browned. With a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a plate lined with a paper towel and set aside.
• Meanwhile, season the short ribs all over with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Brown half the meat in the Dutch oven over medium heat, turning occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, until browned on all sides. Transfer the meat to a bowl and brown the second batch. (Don't cook them all in one batch or they won't brown!) Transfer the second batch to the bowl and set aside.
• Off the heat, add the Cognac and 1/3 cup of the wine to the pot, scraping up any browned bits, then simmer over medium heat for one minute. Add the onions and fennel and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
• Stir the tomatoes and tomato paste into the vegetables. Add the remaining 2/3 cup of wine, the beef broth, the seared meat (and juices), 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover and bake for 1 1/4 hours, checking occasionally to be sure the liquid is simmering.
• Degrease the stew, if necessary. Stir in the carrots and potatoes, cover and bake for one hour longer, until the vegetables and meat are very tender when tested with a fork. Just before serving, stir in the peas and pancetta, taste for seasonings and serve hot in large, shallow bowls.

OLD-FASHIONED BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Combine the flour and pepper in a bowl, add the beef and toss to coat well. Heat 3 teaspoons of the oil in a large pot. Add the beef a few pieces at a time; do not overcrowd. Cook, turning the pieces until beef is browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch; add more oil as needed between batches.
• Remove the beef from the pot and add the vinegar and wine. Cook over medium-high heat, scraping the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Add the beef, beef broth and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a slow simmer.
• Cover and cook, skimming broth from time to time, until the beef is tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Add the onions and carrots and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Add the potatoes and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes more. Add broth or water if the stew is dry. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle among 4 bowls and serve.

SIMPLE BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add meat, flour, onion, and garlic; cook and stir until browned, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add broth, tomatoes, potatoes, celery, and carrots, then stir in Creole seasoning and basil. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to maintain simmer and cook, uncovered, until potatoes are soft, meat is tender, and gravy is thick, about 1 hour.

BARGEMEN'S BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Oil the insert of a large slow cooker. In a large bowl, toss meat with flour and salt and pepper to taste. Scatter half the onions in the slow cooker. Add half the meat. Add remaining onions and top with remaining meat. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until meat is very tender.
• In a food processor or blender, chop anchovies, garlic and parsley very fine. Add mustard and vinegar and pulse until just blended.
• Skim the fat off the stew. Stir in anchovy mixture. Taste for seasoning and serve.

WINTERTIME BRAISED BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Toss beef with flour and steak seasoning., In an ovenproof Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Brown beef in batches; remove with a slotted spoon., In same pan, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, parsnips and carrots; cook and stir until onion is tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomatoes, wine, jelly, bay leaves, oregano and beef; bring to a boil., Bake, covered, 1-1/2 hours. Stir in beans; bake, covered, 30-40 minutes longer or until beef and vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaves and oregano sprigs. If desired, sprinkle with parsley. Freeze option: Freeze cooled stew in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary.

BALSAMIC BEEF STEW WITH VEGGIE MASH

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 170C/150C fan/ gas 3. Heat the oil in a heavy-based ovenproof casserole, then fry the onions for about 8 mins, stirring, until golden. Add the beef and garlic, and stir-fry over a high heat until browned all over.
• Pour 500ml boiling water over the dried mushrooms in a bowl to briefly hydrate, then pour into the casserole with the liquid, and stir in the balsamic vinegar, tomato purée, bouillon and mustard. Pile in the carrots, chestnut mushrooms, thyme and some seasoning. Cover, then put in the oven for 3 hrs until the meat is tender. Towards the end of cooking, add a splash of water if the stew is looking dry.
• When the stew is nearly ready, make the mash. Boil the swede and potatoes together for 12-15 mins in a pan over a medium heat. Drain well, then mash with a grating of black pepper. Steam or boil half the broccoli for 5 mins until tender. 4 Serve half the stew with the cooked broccoli. The remaining stew will keep chilled for up to three days and frozen for up a month. Defrost thoroughly before reheating. Reheat the stew and mash in the microwave and steam or boil the remaining broccoli on the night to help preserve the vitamins.