Braised Beef Stroganoff: Comfort Food for Cool Weather

 

I recently arrived home from a two-week trip abroad -- during which I had subsisted almost exclusively on restaurant food -- and after such a long time away from my kitchen I was desperate for a home-cooked meal. Something soothing and familiar that took me back to childhood. At the end of the day, I couldn't think of anything better than a big bowl of beef stroganoff to warm my bones.

The beef stroganoff I was raised on was a version typical the times: ground beef, pre-sliced button mushrooms, a can of mushroom soup, and a carton of sour cream. Ta-da! Dinner was done. And, to be quite honest, whenever my mom makes it for me, it is still one of my favorite things.

In my recipe, however, I've created what you might consider a beef stew-stroganoff love child. I've never been able to resist anything cooked low and slow. Whether it be short ribs or chili, the more time it takes to cook, the better it tastes. (Hello, smoked pork butt!) So instead of the usual ground meat, I ended up with succulent braised beef, big meaty mushrooms, and a rich creamy sauce. I paired it with a big bottle of Spanish red wine. I'd say that's comfort food, all right.

Now that colder weather is just around the corner, hang on to this recipe for evenings when you need a big meal and a big hug.

Braised Beef Stroganoff

Serves 4 to 6.

2 pounds braising beef (I used boneless shoulder)

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Vegetable oil or clarified butter

3 tablespoons flour

1 cup red wine

2 cups unsalted beef broth

4 tablespoons butter

1 onion, diced

1 pound mushrooms (I recommend oyster, shitake and cremini), cleaned and sliced

1 (8-ounce) carton sour cream (I recommend light)

Cooked egg noodles or pappardelle

Flat leaf parsley, to garnish (optional)

Preheat the oven to 300 F.

Freeze the beef for about 20 minutes, which will make it easier to dice. Cut the meat into 1-inch cubes. Pat dry and season generously with salt and pepper.

Heat a few tablespoons of vegetable oil or clarified butter in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Saute the beef cubes on all sides until well browned but not cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes; work in batches if necessary. Add back all of the beef and its juices to the Dutch oven.

With heat still on high, add the flour and cook for one minute until there is no visible white left. Pour in the wine to deglaze the pan and then reduce by half, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add the beef broth and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and move it to the oven. Cook for approximately 2 1/2 hours, until the meat is ultra-tender. Allow the mixture to cool for about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

While the beef mixture is cooling, heat the butter over medium heat in a large skillet and saute the onions until they start to soften. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking until golden brown and tender, about 12 minutes. Add the cooked mushrooms into the beef sauce. Stir a cup of the beef sauce into the sour cream; then fold the sour cream mixture back into the rest of the beef sauce. Taste and adjust final seasonings. Gently reheat over low to medium-low heat if necessary. Serve over cooked pappardelle or egg noodles. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.

 

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Braised Beef Stroganoff: Comfort Food for Cool Weather

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