SueTea's Beef and Red Wine

* 2 tbls olive oil
* 600g beef shin, cut into large chunks
* 100g smoked streaky bacon , sliced
* 350g shallots or pearl onions, peeled
* 250g chestnut mushrooms (about 20)
* 2 garlic clove , sliced
* 1 bouquet garni (See know-how below)
* 1 tbsp tomato purée
* 750ml bottle red wine , Burgundy is good

Heat a large casserole pan and add 1 tbsp Olive oil. Season the beef and fry until golden brown, about 3-5 mins, then turn over and fry the other side until the meat is browned all over, adding more oil if necessary. Do this in 2-3 batches, transferring the meat to a colander set over a bowl when browned.
In the same pan, fry the bacon, shallots or pearl onions, mushrooms, garlic and bouquet garni until lightly browned. Mix in the tomato purée and cook for a few mins, stirring into the mixture. This enriches the bourguignon and makes a great base for the stew. Then return the beef and any drained juices to the pan and stir through.
Pour over the wine and about 100ml water so the meat bobs up from the liquid, but isn't completely covered. Bring to the boil and use a spoon to scrape the caramelised cooking juices from the bottom of the pan - this will give the stew more flavour.
Heat oven to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2. Make a cartouche: tear off a square of foil slightly larger than the casserole, arrange it in the pan so it covers the top of the stew and trim away any excess foil. Then cook for 3 hrs. If the sauce looks watery, remove the beef and veg with a slotted spoon, and set aside. Cook the sauce over a high heat for a few mins until the sauce has thickened a little, then return the beef and vegetables to the pan

Number of Servings: 5

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user SUETEA.