“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home ” – Edith Sitwell
It’s been snowing all week. Perfect weather for staying in by the fire, while something delicious is cooking in the kitchen. The heavenly smell of this British braised beef the oven makes it a wonderful winter dish.
This white wine braised beef is like one that I saw Mary Berry make on a Christmas cooking program I watched on Brit Box. She was making it for her family on Christmas Eve. It looked so fantastic that I tried to get the recipe online or in one of her books, but alas I couldn’t find it. So, I took good notes and decided that her directions made it simple enough to recreate it on my own.
This is similar to a French boeuf bourguignon, but it uses white wine and it has a distinctly British sauce. The mustard and horseradish give it a little kick that is really delicious. I found it be a little easier to prepare, which I also appreciate.
This is one of those dishes that could easily be made ahead if you are serving guests, but I liked it so much that I created a smaller portion size that is just the right size for a cozy night in with just the four of us.
British Braised Beef – Serves 6 to 8
For a smaller batch that serves 4, I have adjusted the recipe just use the italicized measurements
- 3 lbs (1 ½ to 2lbs) stewing steak meat, cut into pieces and patted dry with paper towels
- 2 (1) yellow onions, diced
- 6 (3) cloves of garlic, sliced into quarters
- 3 (2) slices of bacon
- 3 (2) tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
- 1/3 (3 tablespoons) cup of flour
- 1 ¼ (1) cup white wine, chardonnay or another dry white wine
- 1 ¼ (1) cup beef stock
3 (2) tablespoons Worchester sauce - 2 (1) tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 (1) tablespoons horseradish
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 (1/2) cup mini bella or cremini mushrooms, sliced
- Chopped parsley or chives to garnish (optional)
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees
Place a large Dutch oven or stock pot heat on the stove stop over medium heat. Add one to two tablespoons of vegetable oil. Then add the bacon and let it cook turning occasionally for about 4 to 5 minutes until it cooks and renders some fat in the pan. Then set the bacon aside.
Turn the heat up to medium high add the meat and brown it on all sides in two batches. Remove it to a side dish.
Turn the heat down to medium and add the onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add the flour and stir for a minute to brown the flour. Then add the white wine slowly as you stir it in. Slowly pour in the beef broth continuing to stir so a sauce begins to form. Stir in the Worchester sauce and the bay leaves. Add the beef and bacon back to the pan.
Place the lid on the pot and put it in the oven. Let it simmer in the oven for 2 hours.
Once the beef has cooked take it out of the oven, remove the lid and place it on a burner over medium low heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard and horseradish. Meanwhile in a medium sized skillet melt 2 tablespoons of butter. The sauté the mushrooms stirring so the they brown on both sides. Add the mushrooms to the braised beef.
Serve over mashed potatoes. Add a side of sautéed French green beans and shallots or green peas.
This dish can made ahead of time. Just allow it to cool and place the pan in your fridge. To reheat place it back on the stove top and simmer over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes until it is warmed through. Add a little beef broth if needed.
Mashed Potatoes – Serves 4, double if serving more
- 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
First, place the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water about one inch higher than the potatoes. Then bring the potatoes to a boil over medium high heat. Cook the potatoes for 25 minutes until they are soft and break apart with a fork.
Drain the cooked potatoes and then rice them with a potato ricer or mash them in the pot. Add the butter, cream and salt. Then mix them together with a rubber spatula until they are light and creamy.
This is the is the kind of dinner that makes you happy you stayed in for the evening. So plan a winter movie or game night and enjoy something wonderful at home.
