Flemish Beef Sirloin In Beer Sauce With Savory Vegetables Recipes

CARBONADE FLAMANDE - FLEMISH BEEF AND BEER STEW/CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 170C, 340F, gas mark 3.
• Make sure the pieces of beef are thoroughly dry, using paper towels.
• In a flame-proof casserole, heat the butter and olive oil. Add the bacon cubes and fry them until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon. Reserve.
• Make sure your flame-proof casserole is thoroughly heated. Place the pieces of beef and brown them on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon. Keep warm.
• Place the onions and garlic on the bottom of the casserole dish and cook until transparent (lightly golden). Season well with salt and pepper.
• Add the sugar and mix thoroughly. Cook until a light caramelisation appears then add the red wine vinegar. Mix thoroughly then cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the cooked beef and bacon to the dish. Mix carefully to make sure there is a full marriage of the flavours of the meat with the onions.
• Pour the beer then the beef stock until the meat is entirely covered with liquid. Add the bouquet garni.
• Cut the slices of bread then spread Dijon mustard on the bread. Cover the meat with the bread.
• Place in the oven. The carbonade should cook slowly between 2 and 3 hours, or in a crockpot for up to 5 hours on high.
• When cooked mix the bread thoroughly by breaking it up in the dish, the bread works as a thickener for the sauce. Taste then adjust the seasoning. Serve hot.
• In Belgium the carbonade will be served with chips/fries/frites. In Northern France, it will be served with either braised chicory in butter or red cabbage.

FLEMISH BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Pat beef dry and sprinkle with pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Heat oil and butter in a wide 6- to 8-quart heavy pot over high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown beef in 2 to 3 batches (without crowding), turning over once, until dark brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Add onions and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to pot and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally and scraping up brown bits from bottom of pot, until pale golden, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to moderately low and cover pot, then cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden, about 10 minutes more.
• Add beef along with any juices on plate, bay leaves, and beer and bring to a simmer.
• Meanwhile, spread 1 tablespoon mustard on each side of bread slices, then place bread on top of stew. Simmer stew, covered, until beef is very tender, about 2 hours.
• Just before serving, stir bread into stew, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is incorporated and stew is thickened. Season with salt.

FLEMISH BEEF SIRLOIN IN BEER SAUCE WITH SAVORY VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Season beef with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet and brown the roast on all sides for approximately 5 minutes per side, or until well browned.
• Transfer roast to a roasting pan (with a lid) just large enough to hold the beef and the vegetables.
• Return skillet to heat and cook the onions, garlic, carrots, cloves and orange zest for about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked veggies to the roaster, surrounding the meat.
• Place the roaster over medium heat on the stove top. Pour in the brandy.
• Using a long match or special lighter, carefully set the brandy alight and allow the flames to die down.
• Add the beer, peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme and porcini mushrooms. Bring to a boil.
• Cover the roaster with foil, then add lid. Transfer to the oven and cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until roast is done.
• Transfer the beef and vegetables to a platter and keep them warm in the oven (you can turn off the heat). Reserve the juices left in the roaster.
• For the sauce, mix the vinegar, cornstarch and sugar in a small bowl until smooth. Add 2 TB of the meat juices and mix well. Pour this mixture into the roaster and cook over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Carve the roast and serve with Braised Fennel (Zaar recipe #100458) and boiled new potatoes.