Beef in red wine (Boeuf Bourguignon)

I cooked this a lot at gigs, as I usually make it about 200 serves at one time so it was interesting to reduce the quantity down to 6 serves so here we go ….

2 cups/500g roughly cut bit size pieces of round steak

1 cup/250g smoked bacon diced (lardons, off cuts or bacon slices)

3 to 4 cloves garlic finely chopped ( 4 if your like me & love garlic)

1 large onion peeled and finely diced

8 Small whole shallot onions peeled

1 cup/250g sliced portobello mushrooms or if your prefer Whole button or small whole chestnut mushrooms knock yourself out it will still be tasty !)

5 sprigs of fresh thyme

2/3 bay leaves (2 if what you have are large, 3 for medium size bay leaves)

2 cups/500 ml red wine (pour yourself a glass with the rest whilst cooking)

2 tbsp bisto granules

2 beef stock cubes

1 cup water

2 tbsp vegetable oil (sunflower, rapeseed or even butter if you prefer)

Salt n freshly cracked black pepper to taste

In a large non stick pot or large pan add you preferred oil or butter gently heat, add both onions sauté for 2 minutes then add your bacon sauté for a further minute and add your beef toss until your beef has browned. Add the garlic, mushrooms toss well then add the red wine, have a sip of your glass of wine (if indulging) give it a good stir then add your water and the stock cubes bring to a gentle boil and reduce the heat, cover with a lid and simmer for 1 hour ….keep an eye on your bubbling pot of lushness and stir occasionally just to make sure nothing is sticking to the base of the pot or pan.

Now have some more wine.

Right now back to the stove, remove the lid and stir in your granules to thicken you sauce

and serve in warm bowls or large dish.

Serving suggestion

I personally love bourguignon with creamy mash potato or as a pie however when I'm looking to fit into a swanky frock or anything in the wardrobe for that matter I have it with rice it's less calories and all that boring stuff! I served this to Neill Diamond in a pie to take back to his hotel room after one of his concerts.

Enjoy

Denise

Ps Please feel free to comment or ask questions, I am more than happy to have a chat..