Beef Carbonade is a strange name for this dish. First, carbonnade is a Spanish word but the dish comes from Belgium. Second, the words means "grilled" or "cooked over coals," but in fact the dish is actually braised in beer. However strange the name, it's a great weekend meal, easy to make, but requiring long slow cooking in a slow cooker or Dutch oven.
This is even better on the second day so the recipe serves two with leftovers. Mashed potatoes are a great side dish to soak up the sauce. (Large photo)
If you want to see some other recipes for braises, check out "In Braise of Cheap Meat".
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 lb. beef brisket, trimmed of external fat
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 strips bacon
- 1 lg. onions, chopped
- 1/2 bottle beer or ale (something dark and full-flavored such as a stout)
- 1/2 c beef stock (approximate*)
- 2 - 3 boiling potatoes (2" diameter), quartered
- 1 - 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 3/4" lengths
- 2 tsp. juniper berries**, crushed (or 2 tsp. dried rosemary)
- 2 tsp. tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
Preparation:
1. Heat oven to 300F.
2. Liberally season brisket with salt and pepper.
3. Cook bacon in a small dutch oven (compare prices)over medium-low heat until crisp. Drain on a paper towel, chop, and reserve.
4. Brown brisket on all sides in bacon fat, then reserve on a plate.
5. Sauté onions over medium heat until lightly browned. Add beer and deglaze pot by scraping up browned bits.
6. Return brisket to pot along with beef stock, juniper berries (or rosemary), bacon, bay leaf, and tomato paste. Bring to a good simmer.
7. Place lid on oven and set on a rack in the middle of the oven. Cook one hour, then turn over brisket. Cook for another hour.
8. Turn brisket over once last time. Add carrots and potatoes, and and more stock if needed (the vegetables should be submerged).
9. Cook 45 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender.
*Note: The liquid in the dutch oven should reach 1/2 to 2/3 of the way up the roast leaving the top exposed.
**Note: Juniper berries can be found at upscale grocers such as Whole Foods.
Wondering why your stew is too chewey? Check out these tips on perfect soups, stews, and braises.[
Dutch Ovens
