Beef Stew With Port And Porcini Recipes

ITALIAN-STYLE BEEF AND PORCINI STEW

Steps:

• Position a rack in the bottom third of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F.
• Spread the beef on paper towels to dry for 10 to 20 minutes before browning. (You can use this time to chop the onion, celery, and carrot). If the meat is very wet, pat it dry.
• In a 6-quart Dutch oven or other heavy-duty pot, cook the pancetta in the oil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned but not crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside. Do not wipe out the pan.
• Heat the pancetta fat over medium to medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Season about one-third of the beef with salt and pepper and arrange it in a single layer in the pot (there should be at least 1/2 inch of space between the pieces). Brown well on at least 4 sides, adjusting the heat as necessary; each batch should take about 10 minutes to brown. Transfer the beef to a large bowl or rimmed baking sheet as it browns and repeat with the rest of the beef, seasoning with salt and pepper before browning. Once all of the beef is browned, remove the pot from the heat to let it cool for a few minutes.
• Pour all but 2 Tbs. of the fat from the pot. (If there is not enough, add oil to equal 2 Tbs.) Return the pot to medium heat, then add the yellow onion, celery, and carrot. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spatula, until the vegetables begin to soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, soaked porcini, rosemary, and bay leaf and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Return the pancetta to the pot.
• Add the wine, stirring with the wooden spatula to dissolve any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Raise the heat to medium high and boil to reduce by about half, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the reserved mushroom soaking liquid. Bring to a boil.
• Return the beef to the pot along with any accumulated juice. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer.
• Crumple a 12×16-inch piece of parchment, then flatten it out. (Crumpling makes for easy handling.) Place the parchment directly on the surface of the stew, allowing the ends to come up the sides of the pot. Cover and put in the oven.
• After 1 hour of stewing, add the pearl onions to the pot. Cover with the parchment and lid, return to the oven. After another 30 minutes, add the tomatoes. Cover with the parchment and lid, return the pot to the oven, and cook until the beef is fork-tender.
• Stir in the basil. Degrease the stew by laying a clean paper towel over the surface of the stew and gently pushing it into all the bumps and dips, then quickly peeling it off. Repeat as necessary with more paper towels. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

BEEF, PORCINI AND ONION STEW

Steps:

• Pour ½ cup hot water over dried mushrooms in small bowl.
• Let stand for ½ an hour.
• Drain; reserving liquid.
• Strain liquid through a fine sieve lined with damp kitchen towel.
• Combine liquid and mushrooms.
• Heat oil in large Dutch oven over high heat.
• Add beef and bones in batches and brown well, turning frequently.
• Transfer beef and bones to large bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Add onions to pot.
• Reduce heat to medium and saute until transparent, about 10 minutes.
• Return beef and bones and any juices that have accumulated to pot.
• Add wine, bay leaves, cloves and salt.
• Boil until wine is reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
• Mix in tomato paste and mushrooms with their liquid.
• Simmer 5 minutes.
• Add chicken broth.
• Bring mixture to boil; reduce heat.
• Cover and simmer gently until meat is tender, stirring occasionally, about 2 hours.
• Uncover and simmer until sauce is thick and chunky, about 25 minutes longer.
• Remove cloves and bay leaves (can be prepared 1 day ahead to this point).
• Serve with potato gnocchi and a green salad.