Merlot Braised Beef

Ingredients

• 1 lb stewing beef, cubed
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 stalk celery, sliced (and leaves)
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 3 sprigs parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 juniper berries, crushed
• 1 1/2 cups merlot or dry red wine
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup beef stock or water
• 2 carrots, cut in 1-inch lengths
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup white pearl onion
• 1 cup button mushroom
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Popovers (go with the beef)

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. 1

   In large bowl, combine beef, sliced onion, celery, garlic, parsley sprigs, bay leaf, juniper berries, wine, thyme and pepper; cover and marinate in refrigerator doe 12 to 24 hours.

2. 2

   Remove beef; sprinkle with flour and set aside.

3. 3

   Strain marinade through sieve into bowl, pressing solids; set marinade aside.

4. 4

   In skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown beef in batches.

5. 5

   Transfer to bowl.

6. 6

   Add 1 tbsp butter to pan.

7. 7

   Stir in sugar, cook until deep nutty brown.

8. 8

   Stir in reserved marinade and stock, averting eyes to avoid splatters.

9. 9

   Add beef, carrots and salt; cover and simmer over low heat, stirring often, until beef is tender, about 1 ½ hours.

10. 10

    Meanwhile, in skillet, heat remaining butter over medium heat; cook pearl onions until browned, 12 minutes.

11. 11

    With slotted spoon, transfer to stew.

12. 12

    Add mushrooms to skillet; simmer for 10 minutes.

13. 13

    Serve sprinkled with parsley.

14. 14

    Popovers-----------------.

15. 15

    In bowl, whisk egg with milk; stir in flour and salt until blended but still lumpy.

16. 16

    Spoon into well-buttered jumbo muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.

17. 17

    Place in center of cold oven.

18. 18

    Heat oven to 450F; bake for 25 minutes.

19. 19

    With skewer, puncture each popover; bake for 10 minutes or until puffed.

20. 20

    (Make ahead; Let cool; cover and set aside at room temperature for up to 8 hours. Reheat in 325F oven for 5-10 minutes).