French Beef Stew

Total Time: 1 hr 55 mins Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless beef shank or 1 1/2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 10 whole shallots, peeled
• 1/4 cup cognac
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 2/3 cup beef broth
• 3 carrots, pared, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dijon mustard

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 350 degrees.
• 2 sprinkle beef with salt and pepper, then dredge with flour.
• 3 heat oil in dutch oven over medium-high heat. saute beef in batches in oil until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes each batch. transfer meat to plate, using slotted spoon.
• 4 add shallots to oil and saute, stirring frequently, over medium heat until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. add to beef.
• 5 increase heat to medium-high; add cognac to pan and cook 30 seconds. pour in wine and broth, heat to boiling, and boil 3 minutes. stir in beef, shallots, and carrots. bake covered until beef is tender, about 1-1/4 hours. (timing varies depending on quality and cut of beef.).
• 6 transfer beef, shallots, and carrots with slotted spoon to serving bowl. stir cream into cooking liquid in dutch oven and reduce over high heat 4 minutes. stir in mustard. taste and adjust seasonings. pour sauce over beef and stir to combine. serve hot with buttered noodles or rice.