In the heart of Catalonia, Spain, lies a culinary treasure that has captivated taste buds for generations: Catalan Beef Stew with Mushrooms. This hearty and flavorful dish, also known as "Escudella i Carn d'Olla," is a symphony of tender beef, an array of seasonal vegetables, and the earthy goodness of mushrooms.
Stew with Mushrooms. This hearty and flavorful dish, also known as "Escudella i Carn d'Olla," is a symphony of tender beef, an array of seasonal vegetables, and the earthy goodness of mushrooms.
This traditional Catalan stew is a testament to the region's rich culinary heritage and the abundance of fresh produce from its fertile lands. With variations passed down from generation to generation, each family holds a unique recipe that reflects their culinary traditions.
The preparation of Catalan Beef Stew with Mushrooms is a labor of love, starting with the slow braising of beef until it falls apart with a fork. The broth, infused with the essence of the beef and vegetables, forms the foundation of this delectable dish.
Generous amounts of seasonal vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and green beans add a vibrant medley of colors and textures. The addition of mushrooms, often a combination of wild and cultivated varieties, elevates the stew with their umami-rich flavor and meaty texture.
To enhance the flavors even further, a picada, a paste made from toasted almonds, hazelnuts, garlic, and parsley, is stirred into the stew, adding a nutty and aromatic depth.
The result is a hearty and comforting dish that embodies the spirit of Catalan cuisine. Served piping hot, it is a perfect meal to gather around with loved ones, especially during the cooler months.
This article presents two variations of Catalan Beef Stew with Mushrooms, each with its unique blend of spices and ingredients. The first recipe stays true to the traditional Catalan style, while the second offers a modern twist with the addition of red wine and a touch of paprika.
Whether you are a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes will guide you through the process of creating an authentic Catalan Beef Stew with Mushrooms that will transport you to the heart of this vibrant Spanish region.
OLD-FASHIONED BEEF STEW WITH MUSHROOMS
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 3h10m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the beef with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add to the pot in batches and cook, turning and adding more oil as needed, until browned all over, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon.
- Add 2 more tablespoons oil to the pot and reduce the heat to medium. Add the roughly chopped carrot, celery and onion and cook, occasionally stirring with a wooden spoon and scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pot, until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Move the vegetables to one side and add the tomato paste to the empty side. Cook until it darkens around the edge, about 2 minutes; stir into the vegetables. Add the wine and bring to a boil.
- Return the beef and any juices to the pot; add the stock. Bring to a boil, skimming any foam off the top. Add the thyme. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the beef is tender, about 2 hours.
- Strain the beef and vegetables in a colander set over a large bowl, reserving the cooking liquid. Tent the beef mixture with foil. Let the cooking liquid stand for 5 minutes and then skim off the fat on the surface. Return the liquid to the pot. Add the remaining carrots and celery and the potatoes and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the vegetables are just tender, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until they release their juices and brown, 10 minutes. (Pour off any extra liquid, if necessary.) Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour to make a roux, then let it bubble (do not brown), 2 minutes. Whisk in 2 cups of the reserved cooking liquid. Stir this sauce into the pot with the vegetables; bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring often, until thickened, 5 minutes.
- Return the beef to the pot, discarding the roughly chopped carrot, celery, onion and thyme. Add the mushrooms and simmer until heated through, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; sprinkle with parsley.
CATALAN-STYLE BEEF STEW WITH MUSHROOMS
Steps:
- 1. FOR THE STEW: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-low heat until shimmering. Add onions, sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring often, until onions are deeply caramelized, 1 hr - 1:15 minutes. You want the onions to be a dark brown - almost like brown sugar. Add tomatoes, smoked paprika, and bay leaf; cook, stirring often, until darkened and thick, 5 to 10 minutes. 2. Add wine, water, thyme, and cinnamon to pot, scraping up any browned bits. Season beef with 1½ teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon pepper and add to pot. Increase heat to high and bring to simmer. Transfer to oven and cook, uncovered. After 1 hour stir stew to redistribute meat, return to oven, and continue to cook uncovered until meat is tender, 1½ to 2 hours longer. 3. FOR THE PICADA: While stew is in oven, heat almonds and 1 tablespoon oil in 10-inch skillet over medium heat; cook, stirring often, until almonds are golden brown, 3 to 6 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer almonds to food processor. Return now-empty skillet to medium heat, add bread, and cook, stirring often, until toasted, 2 to 4 minutes; transfer to food processor with almonds. Add garlic and process until mixture is finely ground, about 20 seconds, scraping bowl as needed. Transfer mixture to bowl, stir in parsley, and set aside. 4. Return now-empty skillet to medium heat. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil until shimmering. Add mushrooms and ½ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring often, until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to bowl and set aside. 5. Remove bay leaf. Stir picada, mushrooms, and vinegar into stew. Season with salt and pepper. Serve. TO MAKE AHEAD: Follow recipe through step 2 and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To serve, add 1 cup water and reheat over medium heat. Proceed with step 3.
CATALAN BEEF STEW
Make and share this Catalan Beef Stew recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Satyne
Categories Spanish
Time 3h45m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 160°C Heat a large flameproof casserole dish over high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a heatproof bowl. Add 60ml (1/4 cup) of the oil to the casserole dish. Add one-quarter of the beef and cook, turning, for 5 minutes or until brown. Transfer to the bowl with the pancetta. Repeat, in 3 more batches, with the remaining beef, reheating the dish between batches.
- Add the vinegar to the dish and cook, stirring to dislodge any bits that have cooked on to the base, for 1-2 minutes. Pour over the beef mixture.
- Heat the remaining oil in the dish over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until soft. Add the beef mixture, stock, wine, tomato paste, cinnamon, thyme, orange peel and chocolate. Cover with foil and a tight-fitting lid. Bring to the boil. Bake in oven for 2 hours or until the beef is tender. Set aside for 15 minutes to cool. Place in the fridge for 6 hours to chill.
- Preheat oven to 160°C Use a spoon to remove any fat from the surface of the stew. Cook the stew, stirring, over low heat for 5 minutes or until heated through. Bake in oven for 45-50 minutes or until the meat is tender and the sauce thickens. Sprinkle the stew with parsley to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 372.1, Fat 22.4, SaturatedFat 7.2, Cholesterol 10, Sodium 2386.6, Carbohydrate 23.8, Fiber 3, Sugar 3.2, Protein 15.4
Tips:
- To make the most flavorful stew, use a combination of beef chuck and short ribs. The chuck will provide a rich beefy flavor, while the short ribs will add a layer of fat and moisture.
- Don't be afraid to brown the beef well. This will develop a deep, savory flavor in the stew.
- Use a variety of mushrooms in the stew, such as button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms. This will add a variety of flavors and textures to the dish.
- Be patient when simmering the stew. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will be. Aim to simmer the stew for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours.
- Serve the stew with a side of crusty bread or rice to soak up all the delicious sauce.
Conclusion:
This Catalan-style beef stew with mushrooms is a hearty, flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. The beef is tender and flavorful, the mushrooms are earthy and savory, and the sauce is rich and complex. Serve this stew with a side of crusty bread or rice, and you'll have a meal that the whole family will enjoy.
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