Julia's Boeuf Bourguignon

"The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook."
— Julia Child

Ingredients

For the Stew:

• 3 lbs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
• 6 oz thick-cut bacon, diced
• 3 cups Burgundy wine (or Pinot Noir)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 lb pearl onions (frozen is fine)
• 1 lb cremini mushrooms, quartered
• 4 carrots, cut into chunks
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper

For Serving:

• Buttered egg noodles or mashed potatoes
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Crusty French bread

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Instructions

1. Prep the bacon: In a large Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave the fat in the pot.
2. Brown the beef: Pat beef cubes very dry with paper towels - this is crucial for browning! Season generously with salt and pepper. In batches, brown on all sides in the bacon fat. Don't crowd the pot. Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté aromatics: Add olive oil if needed. Sauté carrots and pearl onions until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
4. Build the sauce: Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir for 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir another minute. Pour in wine and beef broth, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom.
5. Assemble and braise: Return beef and bacon to the pot. Add thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to a 325°F (165°C) oven. Braise for 2.5-3 hours until beef is fork-tender.
6. Meanwhile, prep mushrooms: About 30 minutes before the stew is done, sauté mushrooms in butter over high heat until golden brown. Season with salt.
7. Finish the dish: Remove stew from oven. Discard thyme stems and bay leaves. Stir in the sautéed mushrooms. Taste and adjust seasoning - it may need more salt!
8. Serve like Julia: Ladle over buttered egg noodles or mashed potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley. Pour yourself a glass of the same wine you used in cooking. You've earned it, champion!