Beef Daube

Beef daube is a rich and flavorful French dish that features tender cubes of braising steak cooked slowly in a fragrant and savory sauce. This recipe serves 6-8 people and is perfect for a special occasion or a cozy family meal. The combination of sirloin steak and braising steak creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the seasoned flour coating adds a delicious crust to the meat. The sauce, made with onions, celery, green pepper, garlic, wine, tomato purée, and herbs, infuses the beef with a depth of flavor that is enhanced by Cajun spice mix and Tabasco sauce. The long, slow cooking process in the oven ensures that the meat becomes tender and succulent, while the vegetables soak up all the delicious flavors. Serve this hearty beef daube with crusty French bread for a satisfying and comforting meal that will transport you to the heart of French cuisine.

INGREDIENTS:

• 25g/1oz butter
• 1 large onion, cut into wedges
• 2 celery sticks, chopped
• 1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
• 450g/1lb sirloin steak, trimmed and cut into strips
• 1kg/21⁄2lb lean braising steak, cubed
• 50g/2oz plain flour, seasoned with salt and black pepper
• 600ml/1pt beef stock
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 150ml/5fl oz red wine
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons tomato purée
• 1⁄2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1⁄2 teaspoon Cajun spice mix

PREPARATIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature.
2. Heat the butter in a large heavy casserole dish. Add the onion wedges and sauté until browned on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
3. Add the chopped celery and green pepper to the dish and cook until softened. Remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon and set aside.
4. Coat the strips of sirloin steak and cubed braising steak in the seasoned flour. Add the meat to the pan and sauté until browned on all sides.
5. Add the beef stock, crushed garlic, red wine, red wine vinegar, tomato purée, Tabasco sauce, and chopped fresh thyme to the pan. Heat gently.
6. Return the onions, celery, and green pepper to the pan. Tuck in the bay leaves and sprinkle with the Cajun spice mix.
7. Bring the mixture to a boil, then transfer the casserole dish to the preheated oven.
8. Cook the beef daube for 3 hours or until the meat and vegetables are tender.
9. Serve the beef daube with French bread.

YIELD: Serves 6-8

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• For a richer flavor, marinate the cubed braising steak in the red wine and vinegar mixture for a few hours or overnight before cooking.
• Adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less Tabasco sauce and Cajun spice mix according to your preference.

TIPS:

• Allow the beef daube to rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Serve the beef daube with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.

In conclusion, beef daube is a classic French dish that showcases the tender and flavorful qualities of braising steak. This recipe offers a delightful combination of sirloin steak, cubed braising steak, and a medley of vegetables, all cooked slowly in a rich and savory sauce. The long cooking time in the oven allows the flavors to develop and the meat to become tender and succulent.

The seasoning of the flour-coated beef adds a delicious crust to the meat, while the combination of wine, vinegar, tomato purée, and herbs creates a fragrant and savory sauce. The Cajun spice mix and Tabasco sauce provide a subtle kick and depth of flavor to the dish.

To fully savor the beef daube experience, serve it with crusty French bread that can be used to soak up the flavorful sauce. The combination of tender beef, aromatic vegetables, and the rich sauce is truly a delightful and satisfying culinary experience.

By following the simple steps provided, you can create a memorable beef daube that will transport your taste buds to the heart of French cuisine. This dish is perfect for gatherings with loved ones or for treating yourself to a comforting and flavorful meal.

So, gather your ingredients, prepare the meat and vegetables, and allow the oven to work its magic in creating a delicious and tender beef daube. Bon appétit!