Beef Bourguignon

Ingredients:

• 750ml Burgundy wine
• 2 tablespoons brandy
• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 sprig fresh parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 10 whole black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 900g diced beef stewing steak
• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 110g bacon, diced
• 2 onions, chopped
• 3 tablespoons plain flour
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 300ml beef stock
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 450g fresh mushrooms, sliced

Preparation:

1. For the marinade: In a large bowl, combine the wine, brandy or cognac, onions, carrots, parsley, bay leaf, garlic, peppercorns, and salt. 
2. Mix well and add the diced beef. 
3. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 days.
4. Preheat oven to 150 C / Gas 2.
5. For the Bourguignon: Strain the meat from the vegetables and marinade; reserve marinade. 
6. Dry meat with kitchen paper. 
7. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. 
8. Add the meat and saute for 10 minutes, or until browned on all sides. 
9. Transfer meat to a separate medium bowl with a slotted spoon and set aside.
10. In the same pan, add the bacon and saute until lightly browned. 
11. Transfer the bacon to the bowl with the meat. 
12. Drain the pan and return it to the heat. Pour 250ml of the marinade into the pan to deglaze, scraping the bottom to loosen up all the bits. 
13. Return this liquid to the reserved marinade.
14. Now add the tomato puree, garlic, beef stock, reserved marinade, and salt and pepper to taste. 
15. Bring to the boil and whisk to remove any flour lumps. 
16. Add this to the beef and vegetable mixture. 
17. Place the entire mixture into a 20x30cm baking dish or casserole.
18. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 3 hours, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed. 
19. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
20. About 15 minutes before beef is finished baking, melt butter in the frying pan over medium-high heat. 
21. Add the mushrooms and saute for 5 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. 
22. When beef is done, add the mushrooms to the beef mixture, stir well and let sit for about 15 minutes.