Merlot Braised Beef

Submitted by Graybert

"Took this from the February Canadian Living. Yum!"

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 30mins
• Ingredients: 24
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 lb stewing beef, cubed
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 stalk celery, sliced (and leaves)
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 3 sprigs parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 juniper berries, crushed
• 1 1⁄2 cups merlot or 1 1/2 cups dry red wine
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1⁄4 cup beef stock or 1/4 cup water
• 2 carrots, cut in 1-inch lengths
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup white pearl onion
• 1 cup button mushroom
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

• Popovers (go with the beef)

• 1 egg
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

directions

1. In large bowl, combine beef, sliced onion, celery, garlic, parsley sprigs, bay leaf, juniper berries, wine, thyme and pepper; cover and marinate in refrigerator doe 12 to 24 hours.
2. Remove beef; sprinkle with flour and set aside.
3. Strain marinade through sieve into bowl, pressing solids; set marinade aside.
4. In skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown beef in batches.
5. Transfer to bowl.
6. Add 1 tbsp butter to pan.
7. Stir in sugar, cook until deep nutty brown.
8. Stir in reserved marinade and stock, averting eyes to avoid splatters.
9. Add beef, carrots and salt; cover and simmer over low heat, stirring often, until beef is tender, about 1 ½ hours.
10. Meanwhile, in skillet, heat remaining butter over medium heat; cook pearl onions until browned, 12 minutes.
11. With slotted spoon, transfer to stew.
12. Add mushrooms to skillet; simmer for 10 minutes.
13. Serve sprinkled with parsley.
14. Popovers-----------------.
15. In bowl, whisk egg with milk; stir in flour and salt until blended but still lumpy.
16. Spoon into well-buttered jumbo muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.
17. Place in center of cold oven.
18. Heat oven to 450F; bake for 25 minutes.
19. With skewer, puncture each popover; bake for 10 minutes or until puffed.
20. (Make ahead; Let cool; cover and set aside at room temperature for up to 8 hours. Reheat in 325F oven for 5-10 minutes).