Julie & Julia

 I just got done watching Julie & Julia on Sunday night.  I loved it.  I know, I know. I am behind the times on movies.  It definitely would have been worth paying to go see at the theater.  I really loved watching both peoples stories, but honestly, I wouldn't have been disappointed with a whole movie about Julia Child.  She was a very interesting character!  And very inspiring as well! 

When I saw Julie cooking Boeuf Bourguignon I HAD to have it.  It looked so delicious!  It was much to late to try to start making it Sunday night, but guess what we had for dinner last night??  Yup, you guess it!  And you know what?  It was every bit as good as I thought it would be.  Rich, flavorful goodness steaming on my plate.  Who can resist bacon, red wine, mushrooms, beef.......

Once in a while you get a recipe that is a lot of work and you wonder if it will be worth the effort needed to make it.  When I saw this recipe I got a bit intimidated.  There was a lot to do.  The "skill level" was difficult.  I am not a great cook, I can cook but i'm pretty basic.  Once I got started I got a little nervous, but as I plugged along and smelled all the flavors filling my kitchen I became more at ease.  I, yes me, made Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon and I did a good job!  Can you see me patting my back? 

Because I am proud of my efforts, I have to show off a picture.  So hear it is.  In all it's glory!

If you ever want a "special" beef stew, make this.  You wont be disappointed!

I am feeling inspired now to try some new recipes.  I am kind of thinking of making Supremes de Volaille aux Champignons tonight for dinner.  I will let you know how it is if I do!

Just in case anyone is interested in making Beef Bourguignon, here is the recipe.  Let me know if you make it, or if you are reading this and already made it.  I'm on a JC kick right now!  I need some pearls and a new apron!

      

 Beef Bourguignon

One 6-ounce piece of chunk bacon

3 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

3 pounds lean stewing beef, cut into 2-inch cubes

1 carrot, sliced

1 onion, sliced

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons flour

3 cups red wine, young and full-bodied (like Beaujolais, Cotes du Rhone or Burgundy)

2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups brown beef stock

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 cloves mashed garlic

1/2 teaspoon thyme

A crumbled bay leaf

18 to 24 white onions, small

3 1/2 tablespoons butter

Herb bouquet (4 parsley sprigs, one-half bay leaf, one-quarter teaspoon thyme, tied in cheesecloth)

1 pound mushrooms, fresh and quartered

Cooking Directions

Remove bacon rind and cut into lardons (sticks 1/4-inch thick and 1 1/2 inches long). Simmer rind and lardons for 10 minutes in 1 1/2 quarts water. Drain and dry.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Sauté lardons in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a flameproof casserole over moderate heat for 2 to 3 minutes to brown lightly. Remove to a side dish with a slotted spoon.

Dry beef in paper towels; it will not brown if it is damp. Heat fat in casserole until almost smoking. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and sauté until nicely browned on all sides. Add it to the lardons.

In the same fat, brown the sliced vegetables. Pour out the excess fat.

Return the beef and bacon to the casserole and toss with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Then sprinkle on the flour and toss again to coat the beef lightly. Set casserole uncovered in middle position of preheated oven for 4 minutes.

Toss the meat again and return to oven for 4 minutes (this browns the flour and coves the meat with a light crust).

Remove casserole and turn oven down to 325 degrees.

Stir in wine and 2 to 3 cups stock, just enough so that the meat is barely covered.

Add the tomato paste, garlic, herbs and bacon rind. Bring to a simmer on top of the stove.

Cover casserole and set in lower third of oven. Regulate heat so that liquid simmers very slowly for 3 to 4 hours. The meat is done when a fork pierces it easily.

While the beef is cooking, prepare the onions and mushrooms.

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons butter with one and one-half tablespoons of the oil until bubbling in a skillet.

Add onions and sauté over moderate heat for about 10 minutes, rolling them so they will brown as evenly as possible. Be careful not to break their skins. You cannot expect them to brown uniformly.

Add 1/2 cup of the stock, salt and pepper to taste and the herb bouquet.

Cover and simmer slowly for 40 to 50 minutes until the onions are perfectly tender but hold their shape, and the liquid has evaporated. Remove herb bouquet and set onions aside.

Wipe out skillet and heat remaining oil and butter over high heat. As soon as you see butter has begun to subside, indicating it is hot enough, add mushrooms.

Toss and shake pan for 4 to 5 minutes. As soon as they have begun to brown lightly, remove from heat.

When the meat is tender, pour the contents of the casserole into a sieve set over a saucepan.

Wash out the casserole and return the beef and lardons to it. Distribute the cooked onions and mushrooms on top.

Skim fat off sauce in saucepan. Simmer sauce for a minute or 2, skimming off additional fat as it rises. You should have about 2 1/2 cups of sauce thick enough to coat a spoon lightly.

If too thin, boil it down rapidly. If too thick, mix in a few tablespoons stock. Taste carefully for seasoning.

Pour sauce over meat and vegetables. Cover and simmer 2 to 3 minutes, basting the meat and vegetables with the sauce several times.

Serve in casserole, or arrange stew on a platter surrounded with potatoes, noodles or rice, and decorated with parsley.

Bon Appétit