Daube ~ French Beef Stew
This French stew, called a daube, is simply chunks of beef, carrots, onion, mushrooms, and olives in a rich red wine sauce. Serve it by itself, over pasta, or with a thick slice of hearty peasant bread. Perfect blizzard food.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sliced carrots
- 1/4 cup sliced celery
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons mixed herb: flat-leaf parsley, thyme, crumbled bay leaf, and rosemary or savory
- 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
- 2 cups dry red or white wine
- Salt
- 12 black peppercorns
- 1 pound beef shank
- 1 pound beef short ribs
- 1 pound grainy beef chuck, cut into small chunks
- 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch dice
- 35 ounces canned tomatoes, seeded and chopped
- Bouquet garni of bay leaf, flat-leaf parsley sprigs, and thyme leaves, tied together
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- Parchment paper, cut to fit the inside diameter of the pot
- 1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 2 dozen brine-cured black olives, rinsed and pitted
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley
- Cooked noodles (optional), for serving
Instructions
- In a skillet over low heat, warm the oil. Add the carrots, celery, and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the herbs and garlic and continue cooking until the flavors and aromas are released, just a minute or two. Add the wine, salt, and peppercorns, bring the liquid to a boil, and then simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the liquid is reduced somewhat. Remove the skillet from the heat and let cool completely.
- Place the various cuts of beef in a bowl and pour the cooled wine mixture over the beef. Cover and refrigerate overnight, turning the meat once or twice.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the meat and the marinade in a heavy casserole or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid. Scatter the sliced onions and then add the pancetta, tomatoes, bouquet garni, and orange zest. Wet the parchment circle and place it on top, pressing down to remove any air bubbles. Cover and cook for 1 hour. Lower the temperature to 250°F (120°C) and cook an additional 3 to 4 hours, until the meat falls apart easily when prodded with a fork.
- Set the pot on top of the stove over very low heat. Remove the parchment and stir in the mushrooms and olives. Cook until the mushrooms are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove the bouquet garni and skim the fat from the top of the cooking liquid. Adjust the seasoning. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve over cooked noodles, if desired.
Nutrition
Serving: 1portion | Calories: 640kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 488mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g