Got a taste for something special? Enjoy the wonders of France with this sumptuous beef bourguignon recipe! Delight in the flavors and aromas of this classic French stew, paired with a glass of red wine for a romantic and decadent aphrodisiac dinner.
Start by gathering the ingredients needed for this beef Bourguignon recipe. You'll need 1 1⁄2 pounds of beef chuck, cubed; 3 tablespoons of olive oil; 2 onions, chopped; 2 cloves of garlic, minced; 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour; 4 cups of red wine; 6 pieces of bacon, diced; 1 teaspoon each rosemary and thyme; 1 bay leaf; 8 ounces mushrooms and 1⁄4 cup of fresh parsley for garnish.
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet. Once hot, add the beef cubes and sear for about 5 minutes until all sides are lightly browned. You don't need to cook all the way through as you will be cooking them further later in the recipe. Transfer to a plate once done.
Add the bacon and minced garlic to the same skillet and continue to cook until the bacon is lightly browned (3-5 minutes). Next add in the carrots, celery, onion, bay leaf and thyme. Cook until veggies become soft (2-3 minutes). Pour in the red wine and beef stock, stirring any bits of flavour stuck to the pan. Add back in the seared beef cubes with any juices on the plate along with salt & pepper. Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low. Cover and allow to simmer gently for approximately 1 1⁄2 hours until liquid reduces by half and beef becomes super tender. Serve with some crusty French bread for a hearty lunch or dinner!
To complete this romantic meal, serve the Beef Bourguignon with some crusty French Sourdough Bread. The perfect accompaniment to this delicious stew, the acidic tartness of sourdough can help cut through and balance the richness of the beef and vegetables. Enjoy with a glass of red wine for a true aphrodisiac Sunday Supper! This hearty dish will be sure to have your loved one wanting more!
Adding fresh herbs and spices to your beef bourguignon can create incredible new layers of flavor with just a few easy substitutions or tweaks to the recipe. Try sage, rosemary, oregano or even a teaspoon of smoked paprika for earthy, smoky notes. For some extra spice, try adding 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chipotle powder for a kick of heat. Be creative and experiment with different flavors that pair well with beef, be it herbs, spices or both!
