French Mushroom and Beef Casserole

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 2 hours

Nutrition facts (per serving): 270 cal (12g fat, 24g protein,6 g fiber)

This French Mushroom and Beef Casserole has unique flavors due to its rich blend of steak with pickling onion. Serve warm with mashed potatoes or green beans.

Ingredients (6 servings)

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 pounds beef chuck steak, diced

16 pickling onions, peeled

7 ounces speck or bacon, cut into batons

2 ounces button mushrooms, ends trimmed

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tablespoons plain flour

3 cups dry red wine

1 cup beef stock

1 bouquet garni

Chervil leaves to serve

Garlic mashed potatoes, to serve

Steamed green beans, to serve

Preparation

At 300 degrees F, preheat your oven. Pour half of the oil into a suitable casserole pan over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches and cook for 5 minutes per side until brown. Transfer to a bowl. Pour remaining oil in a pan. Add the onions and sauté for almost 5 minutes until golden. Transfer to a bowl. Add the mushrooms, speck, and garlic to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until golden. Return the cooked onions to the pan. Spread the flour over the beef mixture and stir to combine. Sauté for 2 minutes. Add the beef, red wine, beef stock, and bouquet garni and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat.

Bake in the hot oven, loosely covered, with occasional stirring, for 1 1/2-2 hours until the beef is tender and sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Garnish with chervil and serve with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed green beans, if desired.