Braised Beef with Mushrooms

Braising Beef slowly breaks down the connective tissues in the meat resulting in the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth forkfuls of meat you’ll ever eat, all richly flavored by whatever your braising broth may be. This dish is so good, so simple to make for a crowd, and so soul-satisfying. Substitute wild mushrooms like Chanterelles or Morels, if you are so lucky to find some.

Ingredients

5 lbs chuck roast, cut into 3-4″ pieces, large fat pieces trimmed
2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp kosher salt
1 medium sized onion, finely diced
2 large carrots, peeled and finely diced
2 bay leaves
4 garlic cloves, smashed
2 Tbsp tomato paste
3 Tbsp all purpose flour
3 cups light red wine, like a Pinot Noir
1 lb crimini mushrooms, quartered
3 sprigs of fresh thyme
freshly groun pepper

Instructions of Braised Beef with Mushrooms

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Pat dry meat and generously salt and pepper all sides.
In a large braiser or Dutch oven, heat oil until shimmering. In small batches, brown all sides of the meat. About 2 minutes per side. Set meat aside.
Reduce heat to medium low and add onions, carrots and bay leaves. Saute until carrots and onions are just tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
Stir in tomato paste. Sprinkle the mixture with flour and stir until absorbed. Slowly stir in the wine and add the mushrooms.
Place the meat back to the braiser in a single layer. The meat should sit just above liquid line. For a good braise, you don’t want it fully immersed in the liquid. Tuck the thyme between pieces of meat and bring the dish to boil. Cover and place in preheated oven. Cook for 2 ½ -3 hours. Meat should gently fall apart with a fork when done.
Serve in a shallow bowl over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and along side some hearty vegetables.