Happy, Happy Birthday Julia!!! It is her 100th birthday today!!! And It’s Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon this week!! We have been celebrating for 15 weeks now.
What a fabulous adventure this has been for us. I have breathlessly awaited each recipe with anticipation!! Then I researched, watched my Julia DVDs, chopped and sauteed, baked, and cooked Julia’s wonderful recipes for all these weeks.
An experience I will treasure for the rest of my life. An ode to a fabulous lady who thought outside the box and brought this side of the world out of frozen dinners and canned products.
Buying Local
Back to where we should always be and that is cooking with fresh locally grown produce.
I would also like to thank Alfred A. Knopf Publishing for all their support and the sharing of my photos. Not always the best as I am still learning.
Also, I would like to thank Colbern Uhl and YC Media for giving me this chance to share in something so fabulous.
I am very grateful to have been chosen to participate. night!! I watched Julia as I have tried to always do prior to making the recipe. She did a much-simplified version than what the written recipe is.
No bacon, no carrots, or sliced onion. I improvised between these two recipes and made a fabulous Bourguignon. Thank you, Julia, from the bottom of my heart!!!
Recipe
Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon
Ingredients
- 6 oz. of bacon cut into lardons
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 3 lbs. lean stewing beef
- 2 sliced carrots
- Medium onion sliced
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 2 Tbsp. flour
- 21/2-3 cups red wine such as a Burgundy, Cotes du Rhone, or Beaujolais
- 3 cups beef stock
- 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic smashed
- 1/2 tsp. thyme
- A bay leaf
- 1 lb. each pearl onions & fresh mushroom caps quartered
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 4 Tbsp. butter divided
- 2 Tbsp. flour
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Saute the bacon in a large saute pan in 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium-low heat until it is lightly browned. Don't let it get crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined dish.
- Dry the beef with paper towels. Bring the pan up to medium-high and just before the oil is smoking add the beef in small batches and brown in the hot oil. Brown it on all sides. Remove to a casserole dish. Preheat oven to 325F.
- In the same pan brown the carrots and onions. Add them to the casserole dish along with the beef. Toss the meat and vegetables with salt, pepper, and flour.
- Mix the tomato paste with half a cup of the wine so that it will easily mix in. Pour that onto the meat mixture followed by the rest of the wine, garlic, and herbs. Top off the casserole now with beef broth and add in enough just to cover the beef. Add the bacon. Place in the oven and let simmer slowly for 2 1/2-3 hours.
- While the stew is cooking prepare the mushrooms and onions. Take the onions and cut a small x into the bottom of each onion.
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil and place onions in for 20-30 seconds. Remove and rinse in cold water to cool. Cut the small root end off and carefully peel the onions. Set aside.
- For the mushrooms add the 1 Tbsp. olive oil and 2 Tbsp. butter to a large frypan and heat on high. When the butter foam starts to subside add the mushrooms. Toss and shake the pan for 4-5 min. During this time the mushrooms will first absorb the fat and after a few minutes, it will reappear. Cook until lightly browned and then remove from heat.
- When the meat is done, take it from the oven and skim off the fat and pour the contents through a sieve over a saucepan. You should have about 2 1/2 cups of liquid, if you have more boil it down rapidly, if you have less add some beef broth.
- Bring the sauce up to a simmer. Mix the flour and butter together to form a paste. Remove the pan from the heat and add the paste whisking to incorporate. Return the pan to heat and add the pearl onions. Cook for 15-20 or alternatively has the onions cooked in water for the same time. Stir occasionally until the sauce is thick. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Add the mushrooms to the meat mixture in a clean casserole if desired. Pour the onions and sauce over. Serve in individual bowls garnished with chopped parsley.
Nutrition
Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child. Copyright © 1961 by Alfred A. Knopf. Reprinted with permission from the publisher Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc.
Comments & Reviews
ann says
No carrots or bacon for me. A bit of chopped onion, homemade stock from sliced shank, plenty of sauteed mushrooms. My last batch I used London broil (it was on sale). Perfect choice. Lots of added umami from Chinese mushroom soy sauce and fish sauce. Very flavorful. If you have the time, making your own beef stock is well worth it. I like to save some to use as au jus. I’m making this for later but want to eat it now!!!!
Btw, for some reason, I don’t like the sweetness carrots add to cooked food. I like grated carrots with oil and vinegar. I also like mashed carrots made with butter and milk. Weird, I know. 😀
Tara Noland says
I enjoy it traditionally made but the beauty is that you can make it all your own!! Enjoy!!
disorderlyCNA says
This was absolutely fabulous!!!!! Also very easy to make. I used a cabernet sauvignon for the sauce, which was delectable!! It’s important to make sure the meat remains covered during baking – this may necessitate adding more wine and/or stock than you initially start with – or just put in the full amount of stock to start with and you’d probably be just fine. I baked this in a cast-iron/enamelware dutch oven. Just marvelous! Loved the addition of the carrots. . .gave some lovely color.
Noshing with the Nolands says
I am so glad you enjoyed it!! We have made it many, many times and thoroughly enjoy it every time!!
disorderlyCNA says
This was absolutely fabulous!!!!! Also very easy to make. I used a cabernet sauvignon for the sauce, which was delectable!! It’s important to make sure the meat remains covered during baking – this may necessitate adding more wine and/or stock than you initially start with – or just put in the full amount of stock to start with and you’d probably be just fine. I baked this in a cast-iron/enamelware dutch oven. Just marvelous! Loved the addition of the carrots. . .gave some lovely color.
andrada says
thank you, that’s what I just did 🙂
can’t wait to taste it, it’s in the oven right now. thanks for inspiring me to cook!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you so very much I know you will adore her meals, you have touched me and made me smile today that you are making it!! 🙂
andrada says
also, which is the meat you mention at point 6, after cooking the mushrooms? I tried yo follow your recipe, but I got confused.
Noshing with the Nolands says
In number 6 it refers to the cooked beef from the oven, I will go and make that more clear.
andrada says
where does the bacon come in?
Noshing with the Nolands says
You put the bacon in with the meat before it goes into the oven. I will make that more clear too! Thanks for taking the time to tell me. I hope you enjoy Julia’s Boeuf Bourguignon.
kitchenriffs says
Her Mastering the Art recipe is still the best. She changed it over the years – and I’ve made all of those too – but this remains my fav. Good job.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you, love Boeuf Bourguignon!!
carolinaheartstrings says
What great fun your posts always are. Your pictures are great and this recipe looks so delicioush
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you so much for coming over. Cheers, Tara
Patricia Boustany says
Looks delightful! Do you think one could substitute Turkey bacon instead of regular bacon? Thank you.
Noshing with the Nolands says
I am sure you could if you have a dietary restriction. I have also made if without bacon but it is not nearly as good.
habchy says
do you think it’s easy to try it ? since i am just a ” beginner cook” 🙂
Noshing with the Nolands says
Julia’s recipes are a bit challenging but if you follow along step by step and have the patience they turn out great. I started cooking Julia’s recipes when I was a young teenager. Julia always said have the “courage of your convictions.” So I say go for it, you might totally surprise yourself.
Peter @Feed Your Soul says
i have never seen this dish looks so good. seriously. nice job.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you so much Peter that means a lot!!
Mal @ The Chic Geek says
Such a classic! A perfect tribute to Julia on her birthday
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks and it sure was yummy!!