MERLOT BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees.
• Prepare vegetables, keeping chopped onions aside.
• In a medium bowl combine flour and pepper, set aside.
• In a measuring cup combine beef base with 1 cup hot water, set aside.
• In a dutch oven heat oil over medium-high heat.
• Chop bacon, set aside.
• Cut beef into 1 1/2 to 2 inch chunks.
• Add beef to seasoned flour, toss to coat.
• Brown seasoned beef in two batches, placing first and second batches in a medium bowl.
• Add bacon to hot dutch oven, stirring until the fat is just turning golden brown.
• Remove and add to beef bowl.
• Add onions to dutch oven, reducing heat to medium.
• Stir often and keep an eye on them so they do not burn.
• When just golden add tomato paste, whisking constantly for 1 minute.
• Add the merlot, whisking constantly for 1 minute.
• Add the beef base with water, worcestershire, beef stock, dry french rub and stir well.
• Add prepared vegetables, stir well to coat.
• Add contents of the beef bowl, stir well to coat.
• Add bay leaves.
• Cover with a lid and place in oven.
• If your oven runs hot reduce heat to 275 degrees.
• Check stew at 3 hours, giving it a good stir.
• Add water if needed.
• Stir again at 4 hours, remove at 5 hours.
• Search out bay leaves and remove.