French cuisine is renowned for its precision and complexity. Many French-developed cooking methods are now staples of the modern kitchen. With ingredients like butter, cream, and cheese, French meals can be decadent and delicious. Whether you’re looking for a traditional French recipe or a modern update, here’s a dish to try.
French-Style Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the beef, 3 tablespoons of flour, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the beef in the flour mixture. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, stirring, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Add the beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of flour and cook, stirring, until the mixture is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the cream and cook, stirring, until the mixture is thickened, about 2 minutes more. Add the cream mixture to the stew and simmer, stirring, until the stew is thickened, about 15 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaves and season the stew with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve hot.
This French-style beef stew is sure to warm you up on a chilly day. The beef is cooked until tender in a savory tomato-based broth, and the cream mixture adds a rich and luxurious texture. Serve this delicious stew with warm crusty bread for a comforting meal.
