Recipe

Beef And Wild Mushroom Stew

Ingredients

6 strips bacon, diced
2 pounds beef shoulder, excess fat removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tablespoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound mixed wild mushrooms, such as wood ear, chanterelle, morels, shiitake and porcinis, cleaned and cut medium dice
1 cup onion, cut into small dice
1/2 cup carrot, peeled and cut into small dice
1/2 cup celery, cut into small dice
1/2 cup parsnip, peeled and cut into small dice
1/2 cup leek, white only, cut into small dice
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 cup dry red wine
1 (12-ounce) bottle of beer (preferably an amber)
2 1/2 quarts veal stock
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
6 sprigs fresh thyme
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon allspice
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, render the bacon until crispy, about 4 to 5 minutes. While the bacon is cooking, season the beef with the salt and black pepper, then dredge in the flour. Remove the bacon from the pan using a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper-lined plate to drain. Add the oil to the rendered bacon drippings in the pot and once hot, add the floured beef, in batches. Sear the beef on all sides until evenly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes, then remove from the pan. Repeat the process with the remaining beef.
Add the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, and add the onions, carrots, celery, parsnips and leeks. Cook the vegetables for 5 minutes. Add the garlic to the pan and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Deglaze with the red wine and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add the beer and scrape the pan again to remove any bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the veal stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaves, allspice and tomato paste. Bring the pot to a boil, and reduce the heat to a simmer.
Cook the stew for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure that the stew does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Add the potatoes to the pan and cook until the potatoes are soft, about 40 minutes. Stir in the reserved bacon and chopped parsley, re-season if necessary, and serve immediately.