Breezermom's Slow Cooker Wine-Braised Beef
photo by JackieOhNo!
- Ready In:
- 4hrs 20mins
- Ingredients:
- 22
- Serves:
-
6
ingredients
-
For Bouquet Garni
- 2 garlic cloves, halved
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 whole black peppercorns
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 juniper berries
- 4.92 ml dried thyme
- 4.92 ml dried marjoram
- 2.46 ml fennel seed
-
For stew
- 473.18 ml Burgundy wine (I used Bordeaux)
- 4 medium carrots, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 medium onions, thinly sliced and separated into rings
- 29.58 ml red wine vinegar
- 29.58 ml olive oil
- 907.18 g beef chuck stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 slice bacon
- 411.06 g can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, drained
- 118.29 ml beef broth
- 59.14 ml ripe black olives, pitted and sliced
- 44.37 ml all-purpose flour
- 44.37 ml butter, softened
- 7.39 ml salt
- 1.23 ml black pepper
directions
- For marinade, in a mixing bowl, combine the wine, carrots, onions, red wine vinegar, and olive oil. Make the bouquet garni using cheesecloth (several thicknesses). Place garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, cloves, juniper berries, thyme, marjoram, and fennel seed in the center of the square of cheesecloth. Bring the edges together and tie with kitchen string.
- Place the beef in a plastic bag set in a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the meat, add the bouquet garni, and seal the bag. Marinate the meat in the refrigerator for 10 hours or overnight, turning the bag occasionally.
- Drain the beef, reserving the marinade, vegetables, and bouquet garni. Pat the beef dry with paper towels.
- In a heavy Dutch oven, cook the bacon until crisp and remove; drain and crumble. Brown the beef in the bacon drippings, adding the onions and carrots to slightly brown. Remove beef and vegetables and place in slow cooker. Next, add the bouquet garni, drained tomatoes, 1/2 of the reserved marinade, and beef broth. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- When beef is finished cooking and is tender, stir in the black olives to warm them. Then remove beef and vegetables to a serving bowl and discard bouquet garni.
- Combine the flour, softened butter, salt and pepper into a smooth paste. Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a large saucepan and heat to a simmer. Stir in the flour mixture, cooking and whisking until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more.
- To serve, pour the wine gravy over the meat and vegetables.
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
JackieOhNo!
Stormville, New York
I didn't start cooking until my early 20's, even though I come from a family of accomplished and admired home cooks. While I grew up watching my Italian grandmother in the kitchen, I remained uninterested in trying anything on my own. As a young lady, I was known for being particularly ignorant in the kitchen, with no idea how to even make a hot dog! All this changed, however, when I got engaged. I realized it was time to let my inherent talents out of the bag. At the time, the New York Times had a weekly column called The 60-Minute Gourmet by Pierre Franey. Each week, I would follow these recipes diligently, and taught myself to cook that way. From there, I began to read cookbooks and consult with relatives on family recipes. At my ripe old age now, I feel I know enough to put together a very pleasing meal and have become accomplished in my own right. Having an Irish father and an Italian mother, I'm glad I inherited the cooking gene (and the drinking one too!). One thing I have learned is that simpler is always better! I always believe cooking fills a need to nurture and show love. After being widowed fairly young and living alone with my dog and cats, I stopped cooking for awhile, since I really had no one to cook for. I made care packages for my grown son occasionally, and like to cook weekly for my boyfriend, so I feel like I am truly back in the saddle!!