In the culinary landscape of Belgium, one dish that stands out is the hearty and flavorful Belgian stew, also known as Carbonnade Flamande or Vlaamse Stoverij. This classic beef stew is a testament to the rich culinary traditions of the region and is widely enjoyed as a comforting meal. The stew features tender beef braised in a flavorful sauce made from dark beer, onions, herbs, and spices. Often served with crusty bread or mashed potatoes, Belgian stew is a perfect dish for chilly evenings or special occasions. This article presents two delectable variations of the Belgian stew recipe, each offering a unique taste experience. The first recipe follows the traditional method, using beef chuck roast and dark Belgian ale, while the second recipe adds a modern twist with the inclusion of prunes and a touch of sweetness. Both recipes provide step-by-step instructions to guide you in creating this culinary masterpiece in your own kitchen.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
BEEF CARBONNADE WITH VEGETABLES: BELGIAN BEEF STEW
This hearty stew is packed with sweet root vegetables and some lean beef for a hearty, but healthy, meal. A pinch of smoked paprika gives all the flavor of bacon without the fat and a touch of butter at the end gives a luscious rich taste to the sauce.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 4h5m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- 1. Combine 2 tablespoons flour and smoked paprika in a large bowl; add the beef chunks. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Toss well to coat evenly. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat, and add the oil. Brown the meat, in batches, taking care not to crowd the pan, turning to sear all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes per batch. Transfer the beef with a slotted spoon to a plate.
- 3. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally until just soft, 5 to 7 minutes, adding a few tablespoons water if the pot gets too dark or begins to burn. Add the beer, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Stir in the broth, molasses and thyme.
- 4. Return the beef and any accumulated juices to the pot. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until the beef is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Add the potatoes, carrots, and parsnips; continue to simmer, uncovered, until the vegetables are tender but not mushy, about 40 minutes more.
- 5. Stir together the remaining 1 teaspoon flour and melted butter to make a paste. Stir the flour mixture into the stew and simmer until the broth is slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Discard the thyme sprigs and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. If desired, sprinkle with parsley. Transfer stew to a serving bowl and serve.
BELGIAN BEEF STEW
This is a wonderful, dark, beef stew that is great over noodles.
Provided by Lavonda Hays
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Beef
Time 2h20m
Yield 7
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Blanch the bacon for 1 minute in boiling water. Drain.
- Place bacon and butter or margarine in a large covered pot or Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat until bacon is browned. Add onions; cook until golden. Add garlic, and cook for 1 or 2 minutes; take care not to burn the garlic. Remove bacon mixture from pot, and set aside.
- Add beef to the fat left in the pot, and brown on all sides. When meat is browned, return bacon mixture to the pot. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper. Add enough beer to just barely cover the meat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, and cover. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Remove pot from heat, and stir in parsley, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 439.1 calories, Carbohydrate 25.8 g, Cholesterol 86.9 mg, Fat 24.1 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 26.3 g, SaturatedFat 9.4 g, Sodium 1219.9 mg, Sugar 8.6 g
CARBONNADE A LA FLAMANDE (BELGIAN BEEF, BEER, AND ONION STEW)
Steps:
- 1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position; heat oven to 300 degrees. 2. Dry beef thoroughly with paper towels, then season generously with kosher salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat; add beef and brown well. (May need to do this in 2 batches so beef can be browned in single layer.) Transfer browned beef to medium bowl. 3. Add 1 T butter to pan and saute mushrooms until browned and tender. Remove and set aside with the beef. 4. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to Dutch oven; reduce heat to medium-low. Add onions, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and tomato paste; cook, scraping bottom of pot with wooden spoon to loosen browned bits, until onions are lightly browned. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add flour and stir until onions are evenly coated and flour is lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in broths, scraping pan bottom to loosen browned bits; stir in beer, thyme, bay leaves, vinegar, browned beef with any accumulated juices, mushrooms and salt and pepper to taste. (Carrots, too.) Increase heat to medium-high and bring to full boil, stirring occasionally; cover partially, then place pot in oven. Cook until fork inserted into beef meets little resistance, about 2 to 2- 1/2 hours. (I think I cooked my stew closer to 3 hours, until meat was super tender and the sauce was well-thickened ..I also stirred it occasionally while it was in the oven). 5. Discard bay leaves. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper to taste and serve. I served the stew over mashed potatoes. Creamy, dreamy, marvelous mashed potatoes Good grief. I dare you not to lick your plate. Serve with salad.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your stew. Choose high-quality meat, vegetables, and herbs.
- Brown the meat: Browning the meat before adding it to the stew will help to develop its flavor and add depth to the stew.
- Use a good quality beer: The beer you use in your stew will contribute to its flavor, so choose a beer that you enjoy drinking. A Belgian dubbel or tripel is a good option.
- Simmer the stew for a long time: The longer you simmer the stew, the more the flavors will develop. Simmer the stew for at least 2 hours, or even longer if you have time.
- Serve with a crusty bread or mashed potatoes: Belgian stew is traditionally served with a crusty bread or mashed potatoes. This will help to soak up the delicious sauce.
Conclusion:
Belgian stew is a hearty, flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like it mild or spicy, there is a Belgian stew recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a comforting and delicious meal, give Belgian stew a try.
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