Beef Stew

Recipe courtesy of Tyler Florence.



Ingredients:
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 pound beef, cut into 2-inch pieces
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 bottle good quality dry red wine
4 fresh thyme sprigs
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 orange, zest removed in 3 (1-inch) strips
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 bay leaves
1 1/4 cups beef stock
10 small red potatoes, scrubbed clean and cut in 1/2
1 cups frozen pearl onions, a large handful
1/2 pound white mushrooms, cut in 1/2
1/2 box frozen peas

Horseradish Sour Cream, recipe follows, for garnish
Toasted Peasant Bread, recipe follows, for serving

Directions:
Preheat a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat with the oil and butter.

While the pan is heating, arrange the flour on a large dish. Season the cubed beef with some salt and freshly ground black pepper and then toss in the flour to coat. Shake off the excess flour and add the beef chunks in a single layer to the hot pan, being careful not to over crowd the pan, you might have to work in batches. Thoroughly brown all of the cubes on all sides. Once all the meat has been browned remove it to a plate and reserve.

Add the wine to the pan and bring up to a simmer while you scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon being sure to loosen up all those tasty bits. Once the wine has gotten hot add the browned meat, thyme, smashed garlic, orange zest strip, ground cloves, freshly ground black pepper and salt, to taste, bay leaves and beef stock. Bring the mixture up to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered until the liquids start to thicken, about 15 to 20 minutes. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 1/2 hours.

After 2 hours add halved potatoes, pearl onions and mushrooms, along with a pinch of sugar to balance out the acid from the red wine. Turn the heat up slightly and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes more, until the vegetables and meat are tender. Add the frozen peas during the last minute of cooking. Season with salt and pepper and remove the thyme sprigs.

To serve, place the stew in a soup bowl and add a dollop of Horseradish Sour Cream. Right before serving add a slice of Toasted Peasant Bread, half way submerged in the stew.


Horseradish Sour Cream:
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Combine sour cream and prepared horseradish in a small bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper.


Toasted Peasant Bread:
1 loaf peasant bread, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
Extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.

Put a sheet pan in the oven so that it gets good and hot.

Place the bread slices on the hot sheet pan. Drizzle the bread with the extra-virgin olive oil and spread minced garlic. Bake for 5 minutes, until the bread is nicely toasted.