Beef Fig Olive Stew Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300˚ F.
• Heat the oil in a large (11- to 12-inch) Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until browned. With a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a plate lined with a paper towel and set aside.
• Meanwhile, season the short ribs all over with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Brown half the meat in the Dutch oven over medium heat, turning occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, until browned on all sides. Transfer the meat to a bowl and brown the second batch. (Don't cook them all in one batch or they won't brown!) Transfer the second batch to the bowl and set aside.
• Off the heat, add the Cognac and 1/3 cup of the wine to the pot, scraping up any browned bits, then simmer over medium heat for one minute. Add the onions and fennel and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
• Stir the tomatoes and tomato paste into the vegetables. Add the remaining 2/3 cup of wine, the beef broth, the seared meat (and juices), 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover and bake for 1 1/4 hours, checking occasionally to be sure the liquid is simmering.
• Degrease the stew, if necessary. Stir in the carrots and potatoes, cover and bake for one hour longer, until the vegetables and meat are very tender when tested with a fork. Just before serving, stir in the peas and pancetta, taste for seasonings and serve hot in large, shallow bowls.

Steps:

• Brown beef in pan.
• Add garlic and herbes de Provence, stir for about 30 seconds.
• Add wine, scrap up any browned bit, stir until slightly reduced, about 1 minute.
• In a small bowl, stir together beef broth and cornstarch. Add to pan and increase heat to high, bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.
• Add tomatoes, figs, olives and pepper and return to a simmer.
• Maintain a simmer, stirring occasionally until tomatoes have broken down, about 5 minutes.
• Heat through, about 2 minutes.

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown meat in oil. Add the onion, water, seasoned salt, pepper and salt if desired; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours. , Add the vegetables; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the meat and vegetables are tender. Combine flour, cold water and browning sauce until smooth. Stir into stew. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly.

Steps:

• Pat the meat dry. In a large flameproof casserole, heat the olive oil over moderately high heat. Add the meat in 2 batches and cook, turning, until nicely browned, about 5 minutes per batch. As the meat is cooked, remove it to a plate.
• Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are golden and beginning to brown around the edges, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until softened and fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour int he vermouth and boil until reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes. Then add the chopped tomatoes with their juices, the vinegar, black pepper, hot pepper, and 1-1/2 cups water.
• Add the meat to the sauce, along with any juices that have collected on the plate. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer 1-1/4 hours. Add the olives and simmer 20 to 30 minutes longer, or until the meat is tender.
• Add the sun-dried tomatoes and simmer 5 minutes. (The stew can be made to this point up to 2 days in advance.) Just before serving, stir in the fresh basil.

Steps:

• Combine the flour and pepper in a bowl, add the beef and toss to coat well. Heat 3 teaspoons of the oil in a large pot. Add the beef a few pieces at a time; do not overcrowd. Cook, turning the pieces until beef is browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch; add more oil as needed between batches.
• Remove the beef from the pot and add the vinegar and wine. Cook over medium-high heat, scraping the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Add the beef, beef broth and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a slow simmer.
• Cover and cook, skimming broth from time to time, until the beef is tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Add the onions and carrots and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Add the potatoes and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes more. Add broth or water if the stew is dry. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle among 4 bowls and serve.