Beef Bourguignon With Potato Gratin Recipes

POTATO-TOMATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat a large saute pan or Dutch oven over high heat for 2 minutes. Swirl in 3 tablespoons olive oil, and then add the onions, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Cook 6 minutes, stirring often, and then turn the heat down to medium. Add the butter, and cook 15 minutes, stirring and scraping with a wooden spoon, until the onions start to caramelize. Turn the heat down to low and continue cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are a deep golden brown. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
• Use a mandoline to slice the potatoes into 1/8-inch-thick rounds. Toss them with the cream, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and some pepper.
• Cut the tomatoes into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange them on a plate and season with 1 teaspoon salt and some pepper.
• Place half the caramelized onions in an even layer in a 9-by-9-inch (or equivalent) gratin or baking dish. Arrange one layer of alternating potatoes and tomatoes on top of the onion layer. Layer a couple of slices of cheese and scatter some olives over the cheese. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the cream from the potatoes and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, a healthy pinch of pepper, 1/2 teaspoon thyme and half the basil.
• Scatter the rest of the caramelized onions over the potatoes and tomatoes. Arrange another layer of potatoes, tomatoes and cheese on top; make this layer pretty, because it will be the top of your gratin. Pour the remaining cream from the potatoes and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over the potatoes and tomatoes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, a pinch of pepper, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon thyme, olives and basil. Press the vegetables down with your fingers. The cream and oil will come up through the layers and coat the vegetables evenly.
• Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake until the potatoes are tender when pierced, about 2 hours. Remove the gratin from the oven and uncover it, being careful of the steam.
• Turn the oven up to 450 degrees F and return the gratin, uncovered, to the oven. Cook until the juices have thickened and the top is nice and golden brown (as in "gratineed"), another 25 to 30 minutes.

BEEF BOURGUIGNON WITH POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• For the bourguignon:
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• In a 9 to 10-inch pot that is at least 4 inches deep, bring 1/4 cup cooking oil to smoking temperature. Season the meat with salt and black pepper. Over high heat, brown the meat in the pot in 2 or 3 separate batches and set aside. Reduce the heat, add the bacon to the pot and cook it until it begins to brown. Add the onions, carrots, and celery and sweat approximately 10 minutes over medium heat while stirring often. Add the tomato paste and allow it to brown and cook about 5 minutes. Add the flour while stirring constantly. Slowly incorporate the red wine into the pot, stirring constantly so that no lumps form. Add the stock and meat to the pot and bring to a simmer. Secure the thyme and bay leaves together with the butcher's twine and place it in the pot. Place a lid on top of the pot and put it into the oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the meat is fork tender. Remove the lid and skim the top of any excess fat. The onions and mushrooms should be added right before serving.
• For the potato gratin:
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, toss the sliced potatoes with salt and black pepper. Arrange them in layers in a greased 8 by 6-inch flameproof baking dish. Pour the heavy cream over the layered potatoes. Place the dish on top of a sheet pan and then into the oven for 45 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the oven and turn the oven temperature to broil. Top the potatoes with the cheese and return to the oven for approximately 5 minutes, or just long enough for the cheese to melt and nicely brown. Serve alongside the Beef Bourguignon.

BEEF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• Place the beef in a large bowl and add all the marinade ingredients. Cover and marinade for at least 8 hours or preferably overnight, refrigerated.
• Drain off the liquid from the marinade and reserve. Remove the peppercorns, onions, and garlic. Separate vegetables from the meat. Dry the meat thoroughly on paper towels.
• Heat a heavy bottomed saucepan. Add the butter and oil, then add in the beef. Cook over a high heat until seared all over, then remove from the pan and keep warm. Add the lardons and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden. Add the shallots and cook until they just begin to soften. Stir in all the marinade vegetables, and cook for a further 3 to 4 minutes. Return the meat to the pan and season generously with salt and pepper and stir in the mustard until all the ingredients are coated generously. Pour in the reserved marinade liquid and bring to a gentle bubble. Cover with a lid and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, the sauce should be thick and the meat tender. You may need to add a little water half way through the cooking process. Serve with mashed potatoes.
• Cook the potatoes in salted boiling water for 12 to 15 minutes until tender.
• Heat the cream and butter together until the butter is thoroughly melted. Blanch the herbs in boiling salted water 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and rinse thoroughly under very cold water until completely cooled. Place blanched herbs in a blender and puree. Slowly add the olive oil, while the motor is still running, to form a smooth puree.
• Mash the potatoes, then add butter and cream. Stir thoroughly until you have a smooth paste. Finally fold in herb puree and season generously. Mix well to form a green smooth mash.