MERLOT BEEF STEW

Merlot Beef Stew image

Provided by Diana Adcock

Categories Beef

Time 5h30m

Number Of Ingredients 18

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1/4 c vegetable oil
1 c white flour
2 Tbsp black pepper
3 lb beef roast, sirloin or arm roast
1/4 lb applewood smoked bacon, chopped
4 large large carrots, cut 1 inch long and quartered
1 large onion, chopped
1 lb baby red potatoes, washed and cut in half if larger than golf ball size
8 oz chanterelle or cremini mushrooms, quartered
2 c merlot wine
1/2 c worcestershire sauce
3 oz tomato paste
1 tsp better than bouillon beef base
1 c water
2 c low sodium beef broth
2 Tbsp french dry rub
2 bay leaves
water as needed

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Prepare vegetables keeping onions aside.
3. In a medium bowl combing flour and pepper, set aside.
4. Combine beef base with water, whisk well, set aside.
5. Chop bacon, set aside.
6. Cut beef into 1 and 1/2 inch pieces. Add to flour mixture tossing well to coat every piece.
7. In a large dutch oven heat oil over medium high heat.
8. Brown seasoned beef in two batches, removing to a medium bowl, set aside.
9. Add bacon to hot dutch oven, stirring often until the fat just begins to brown.
10. Remove bacon when golden to beef bowl.
11. Reduce heat to medium, add chopped onions.
12. Stir often until onion turns light brown.
13. Add tomato paste, whisking constantly for 1 minute.
14. Add merlot, whisking constantly for 1 minute.
15. Add the beef base, worstershire sauce, beef broth and dry French rub, whisk well.
16. Add the prepared vegetables. Stir well to coat.
17. Add contents of beef bowl, including any juices and stir well to coat.
18. Add bay leaves, pushing them down with a spoon to submerge.
19. Cover with lid and place pot in the oven.
20. Check the stew at 3 hours, giving it a very good stir, bottom to top.
21. Add water if needed.
22. Repeat at 4 hours with the stirring and water if needed.
23. Remove at 5 hours, search out bay leaves and toss them out.
24. Serve with a torn loaf of hot, crusty bread and a salad. And Merlot of course ;-)