Beef Carbonnade Flamande

Name: Beef Carbonnade Flamande
Ingredients: canola or olive oil, for cooking; 3-4 slices bacon, chopped; 2-3 lb. (1.25 kg) stewing beef, chuck or blade, cut into 1-inch cubes; Salt and pepper; 1 large onion, chopped or thinly sliced; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 1 cup (ish) beef stock; 1 can or bottle heavy ale or dark stout (I used Big Rock Scottish Heavy Ale); 1 Tbsp. brown sugar; 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar; a few sprigs of fresh thyme; egg noodles or mashed potatoes, for serving; butter, for serving

AuthorJulie

Yields1 Serving

canola or olive oil, for cooking

3-4 slices bacon, chopped

2-3 lb. (1.25 kg) stewing beef, chuck or blade, cut into 1-inch cubes

Salt and pepper

1 large onion, chopped or thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 cup (ish) beef stock

1 can or bottle heavy ale or dark stout (I used Big Rock Scottish Heavy Ale)

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

a few sprigs of fresh thyme

egg noodles or mashed potatoes, for serving

butter, for serving

Preheat the oven to 300°F.

Set a wide pot or braising dish over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of oil and cook the bacon until crisp; transfer to a shallow bowl, leaving the drippings.

Brown the beef in the drippings on all sides, working in batches, sprinkling with salt and pepper in the pan and setting it aside on a plate as it gets browned and crusty on the edges. Add the onion to the pot and cook until golden; add the garlic and cook for another minute or two.

Add the beef stock to the pan, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom. Return the beef to the pot, pour over the beer, stir in the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar and add the sprigs of thyme. Cover and cook for 2 1/2-3 hours, until the meat is very tender. Remove the lid, and if the gravy is too thin, set the pan on the stovetop and simmer uncovered until it thickens.

Ingredients