To evoke memories of warmer, sunnier days, here's a delightful dish with a Provençal twist.
In this recipe, I've reduced the amount of oil and fats traditionally used, demonstrating how little is actually needed to achieve rich flavors. I invite you to try it and see for yourself.
Ingredients:
- 350g braising steak, cut into largish cubes
- 1 small tin tomatoes
- 110g flat open mushrooms, cut into chunks
- 1 red capsicum, de-seeded and cut into wide 2.5 cm strips
- 25g small black Provençal olives
- Salt and freshly milled black pepper
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 6 whole shallots, peeled
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 heaped dessertspoon chopped thyme leaves (plus a couple of sprigs)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 strip of thinly pared orange zest, about 5 cm
- 1 dessertspoon flour
- 275 ml red wine
Method:
1. Brown the Beef: In a small, flame-proof casserole, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil over direct heat until smoking hot. Brown the pieces of beef on all sides, no more than five pieces at a time. As they brown, remove them to a plate. Repeat until all the beef is browned.2. Cook the Shallots and Garlic: Add the remaining teaspoon of oil to the pan. Once hot, add the shallots and brown them, adding the garlic after two or three minutes. When the shallots are browned, return the meat and any escaped juices to the pan. Add the chopped thyme, bay leaf, orange zest, salt, and freshly milled pepper.
3. Incorporate Flour and Wine: Stir in the flour to soak up the juices. Gradually add the wine, stirring well after each addition.
4. Add Tomatoes and Mushrooms: Add the contents of the tin of tomatoes and the chopped mushrooms. Stir again and bring to a simmer.
5. Oven Cooking: Once simmering, cover the casserole with a lid and place it in the oven. Cook for 1½ hours.
6. Add Peppers and Olives: After 1½ hours, add the red pepper strips and black olives. Cover and continue cooking for an additional 30-40 minutes, until the pepper is tender.
7. Serve: Serve the Provençal Winter Stew with mashed potatoes and fresh, vibrant spring greens.
Enjoy the rich, savory flavors of this Provençal-inspired stew, a perfect dish to warm your winter evenings. Bon appétit!