Serves 3-4
- 1 lb Foxhollow stew meat
- ¼ lb bacon, diced
- ⅓ cup KY bourbon
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbs worcestershire
- 1 tbs tomato paste
- 1 large sprig fresh rosemary
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbs all purpose flour
- 2 large carrots, chopped into equal size pieces
- 2 large yukon gold potatoes, chopped into equal sized pieces
- 1 tbs grapeseed oil
- kosher salt
- black pepper
Instructions:
Set a large pot over medium heat & add grapeseed oil. When oil is warm, add bacon & cook until crisp & fat is rendered, 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon to a bowl & set aside. Keep rendered bacon fat in the pot.
While the bacon is cooking, remove the stew meat from packaging & pat dry. Toss with ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp black pepper & flour, ensuring all sides are coated.
Rewarm the bacon fat over medium-high heat & add the beef, arranging in a single layer (sear beef in batches if necessary). Brown beef, turning every few minutes to ensure all sides are seared, 6-8 minutes in total. Remove beef to a bowl & set aside.
Remove the pot from the burner & add the bourbon & ⅓ cup of the beef broth. Bring to a simmer & allow to reduce by half, using a wooden spoon to scrape the burnt bits off the bottom & sides of the pot. Add the onions & saute until tender, 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, worcestershire & tomato paste & stir to combine. Cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to begin to caramelize on the bottom of the pot.
Add remaining beef broth to the pot along with the seared beef & any drippings. Tie the rosemary, thyme & bay leaf together with kitchen twine & add to the pot. Stir the stew, bring to a simmer & cover. Cook for 1 hour, checking often to make sure a soft simmer is maintained. After an hour add the carrots & potatoes. Taste the broth & add additional salt & pepper if desired. Bring back to a low simmer, recover, & continue to cook for an additional 45 minutes.
Test the meat, potatoes & carrots to ensure they are very tender. Return the bacon to the pot & simmer, uncovered for a final 15 minutes. Taste & adjust seasonings if necessary.
Enjoy!
