Catalan Beef Stew With Mushrooms Recipes

CATALAN BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 160°C Heat a large flameproof casserole dish over high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a heatproof bowl. Add 60ml (1/4 cup) of the oil to the casserole dish. Add one-quarter of the beef and cook, turning, for 5 minutes or until brown. Transfer to the bowl with the pancetta. Repeat, in 3 more batches, with the remaining beef, reheating the dish between batches.
• Add the vinegar to the dish and cook, stirring to dislodge any bits that have cooked on to the base, for 1-2 minutes. Pour over the beef mixture.
• Heat the remaining oil in the dish over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until soft. Add the beef mixture, stock, wine, tomato paste, cinnamon, thyme, orange peel and chocolate. Cover with foil and a tight-fitting lid. Bring to the boil. Bake in oven for 2 hours or until the beef is tender. Set aside for 15 minutes to cool. Place in the fridge for 6 hours to chill.
• Preheat oven to 160°C Use a spoon to remove any fat from the surface of the stew. Cook the stew, stirring, over low heat for 5 minutes or until heated through. Bake in oven for 45-50 minutes or until the meat is tender and the sauce thickens. Sprinkle the stew with parsley to serve.

FRICANDó AMB MOIXERNONS - BEEF WITH WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Place the flour in a shallow bowl, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Lightly dredge the beef slices on both sides in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.
• In a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or flameproof ceramic baking dish over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Working in batches if necessary, add the beef and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the beef to a plate with a slotted spoon. Reserve the pot with the remaining oil.
• Next, make a sofregit. If using fresh oregano, thyme, marjoram, and rosemary sprigs, tie them in a bundle with kitchen string and set aside. Return the pot to medium heat, add the onions, and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Cut the tomatoes in half and, using the large holes of a grater-shredder, grate the pulp directly into the pot. Discard the skins. Add the garlic. When the vegetables are cooked, after about 4 minutes, add the wine. Add the gerb bundle or dried herbs and the bay leaf and nutmeg. Then grate the chocolate directly into the pot. Simmer over medium heat until the ingredients begin to form a sauce, about 5 minutes.
• Drain the mushrooms in a sieve ined with cheesecloth, reserving the liquid, and add to the pot. Return the beef to the pot with any juices. Add the stock and enough of the mushroom-shoaking liquid to cover the beef. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and cook until the beef is thoroughly tender and the sauce is thick and concerntrated, about 1 hour. If using fresh herbs, remove and discard the herb bundle, and then discard the bay leaf. Transfer to a warmed serving dish or serve in the Dutch oven.