What’s For Dinner? Classic Beef Braise!

Why We Love It

This recipe is great for preparing on a chilly fall Sunday and makes plenty of leftovers for the week ahead. Follow the directions below for a family of four, or double for leftovers. This recipe also freezes very well.

Ingredients

• 1 strip of bacon, cut into a large dice
• 1 ½ carrots, diced
• 1 ½ stalks of celery, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Pepper to taste
• 1 pound stewing beef, cut into two-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• ½ cup gluten-free beef broth or stock
• ¾ cups water
• ½ cup dry red wine
• ½ tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic (peeled and whole)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp. dried)
• ½ cup red or white pearled onions

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large oven-safe saucepan, sauté the bacon strips until fat starts to render. Add carrots, celery, and onions. Cook until vegetables are tender and fragrant (about six minutes).
3. Remove bacon and vegetables. Set aside. Drain bacon fat from pan.
4. In shallow dish, combine flour, salt, and pepper to taste. Dredge beef in flour mixture until lightly coated. Shake off excess.
5. Add canola oil to the bacon saucepan and heat on medium. Add beef and lightly brown on all sides, working in batches if necessary.
6. Remove beef from saucepan and set aside.
7. Add broth, water, wine, and tomato paste to the saucepan. Blend all ingredients.
8. Then, return the beef to the pan along with the bacon, vegetables, garlic, bay leaf, and rosemary. Cover tightly and braise in the oven at 350°F for 1 hour.
9. Meanwhile, to peel the pearl onions, bring a pot of water to boil. Blanch the onions for about 30 seconds. Remove and place in a bowl of ice water to cool. Remove onions from the water. Cut off the roots, make a vertical slit, and slip off the skin.
10. Add the pearl onions to the braise and cook for 1 more hour.
11. For the final 20 minutes, remove lid and allow meat to brown.
12. Before serving, remove the bay leaf and rosemary sprig (if used).
13. Serve meat and vegetables topped with sauce. Enjoy!

Tips

• Serve this hearty meal with some homemade mashed potatoes for a warming winter feast.
• Always read all labels to make sure your ingredients are gluten-free.

(Source: https://www.sobeys.com/en/recipes/classic-beef-braise)