MERLOT BEEF STEW

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• 2. Prepare vegetables keeping onions aside.
• 3. In a medium bowl combing flour and pepper, set aside.
• 4. Combine beef base with water, whisk well, set aside.
• 5. Chop bacon, set aside.
• 6. Cut beef into 1 and 1/2 inch pieces. Add to flour mixture tossing well to coat every piece.
• 7. In a large dutch oven heat oil over medium high heat.
• 8. Brown seasoned beef in two batches, removing to a medium bowl, set aside.
• 9. Add bacon to hot dutch oven, stirring often until the fat just begins to brown.
• 10. Remove bacon when golden to beef bowl.
• 11. Reduce heat to medium, add chopped onions.
• 12. Stir often until onion turns light brown.
• 13. Add tomato paste, whisking constantly for 1 minute.
• 14. Add merlot, whisking constantly for 1 minute.
• 15. Add the beef base, worstershire sauce, beef broth and dry French rub, whisk well.
• 16. Add the prepared vegetables. Stir well to coat.
• 17. Add contents of beef bowl, including any juices and stir well to coat.
• 18. Add bay leaves, pushing them down with a spoon to submerge.
• 19. Cover with lid and place pot in the oven.
• 20. Check the stew at 3 hours, giving it a very good stir, bottom to top.
• 21. Add water if needed.
• 22. Repeat at 4 hours with the stirring and water if needed.
• 23. Remove at 5 hours, search out bay leaves and toss them out.
• 24. Serve with a torn loaf of hot, crusty bread and a salad. And Merlot of course ;-)