Boeuf Bourguignon

Boeuf Bourgignon comes from the Bourgignon region of France (in English, this region is known as Burgundy). Bourgignon is famous for its rich cuisine, developed during a time when it was one of the richest corners of Europe. It's cuisine features beef, creamy sauces and of course wine (it is one of the two premier wine regions of France). Perhaps it's most famous dish is Boeuf (which is French for beef) Bourgignon, which combines all three traditions. Wonderful served over noodles or home made spaetzle. Found this on-line at French Property site and posting for French region of ZWT.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  lbs beef, cut into chunks (can use stew meat, chuck or top sirloin)
• 1 (750 ml) bottle red wine (use a reasonable quality full-bodied wine)
• 1  onion, chopped finely
• 5  garlic cloves, chopped
• 3  bay leaves
• 10  green peppercorns (if you don't have fresh green peppercorns, ground black pepper can be used instead)
• 3  tablespoons olive oil
• 8  ounces bacon, in strips
• 20  white pearl onions
• 5  medium carrots, peeled and cubed
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1  tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 1⁄2 cups beef broth (or stock)

Directions

1. Marinate the beef for at least 4 hours (best over night) in the red wine mixed with the chopped onion, garlic, bay leaves and fresh peppercorns.
2. Remove the meat from the marinade and dry with paper towel. In a container/plate/bowl/bag add 1/4 flour and season with salt and pepper. Add the beef cubes and coat them with flour.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
4. In a large frying pan fry bacon in olive oil until slightly browned. Place bacon in a large ovenproof casserole.
5. Brown the pearl onions and cubed carrots in the same pan; add to casserole.
6. Brown the meat in the same pan. Depending on the size of the pan, and if it is not possible to fit all the meat into the pan at one time, do the meat in batches. Store the meat already browned temporarily in a large dish.
7. When all the meat has been browned, put it all into the pan with the bacon, onion and carrots.
8. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of remaining flour mixture into frying pan with oil and mix well while continuing to brown (approximately 5 minutes).
9. Add, bit by bit, the red wine marinade including onions, garlic, bay leaves and fresh peppercorns.
10. Let this cook down for about 8 to 10 minutes.
11. Add beef broth and last but not least the tomato paste.
12. Add to casserole and mix carefully with bacon, pearl onions and meat.
13. Cook for 2 hours, or until tender, in oven at 350 degrees fahrenheit.