Life is best with comfort food

A Lagois Kitchen recipe

It’s October and the weather is getting cooler, even in these “El Niño” times. What could be nicer than a fire in the fireplace, friends over for a meal, maybe after an outdoor activity in our beautiful Ottawa fall, than true comfort food?

This is a good one to serve all through the winter months, too, or when kids come home from school, or just about any time. Assemble it, hand it over to the slow cooker to do its magic, and relax. It will be ready for you when you are. A glass of a nice red and bakery bread would top it off perfectly.

Slow-Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Serves 6 | About 20 minutes preparation + slow cooking

Ingredients:

• 2½ lbs stewing beef, cut into large chunks

• 4 slices bacon, chopped

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 3 carrots, cut into chunks

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 cups dry red wine

• 1½ cups beef stock

• 2 tsp fresh thyme

• 2 bay leaves

• 8 oz mushrooms, halved

• Salt and pepper

• 2 tbsp flour

• Fresh parsley, for serving

Method

• Cook the bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Remove it with a slotted spoon and set aside.

• Season the beef with salt and pepper. Brown it in the bacon fat in batches, then transfer it to the slow cooker.

• Add the onion, carrots and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes. Stir in the flour and tomato paste.

• Add the wine and beef stock, scraping the bottom of the skillet. Pour everything into the slow cooker.

• Add the bacon, thyme and bay leaves. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours.

• About 45 minutes before serving, add the mushrooms.

• Remove the bay leaves and garnish with parsley.

• Serve over mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles.

  
  

Happy fall (and winter) comfort food from your friends at Lagois!

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