unconventional beef stroganoff

How To Make unconventional beef stroganoff

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  Chef's Note: The first mention of "Govjadina po Strogonovski" was from a cookbook published in Russia in 1861: Classic Russian Cooking: Elena Molokhovets' A Gift to Young Housewives. Over 150 years later, I wonder if she knew what she started, and just how many variations of her recipe would be devoured around the globe.
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  Let's begin by prepping our ingredients: Chop, slice and cut up the veggies, and reserve. A mandolin is an excellent tool for cutting the mushrooms, and thinly slicing the onions. Slice the tri-tip, and keep cool. Have your other ingredients close at hand. The one exception is the cream cheese and the sour cream. You won't need these until the last thirty minutes.
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  Chef's Tip: Sometimes it's hard to thinly slice a large roast; however, if you put it into the freezer for about 20 minutes, it firms up just enough to make slicing easier. Oh, and don't forget to have a nice sharp knife.
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  In a large bowl, add the 4 cups of warm broth, the 3 tablespoons of flour, and the 1 tablespoon of dijon, and then mix with a whisk, until fully combined. Set aside.
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  Add 1 tablespoon of butter and olive oil to a large pot over medium heat, and allow the butter to melt and incorporate into the olive oil. Chef's Note: The additional tablespoon of butter and olive oil, are only to be used if you feel the veggies are drying out. If they look moist and fine, while cooking, then leave it out. The reason I added them to the recipe, is that in most cases, I do need the additional fat.
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  Chef's Note: This pot has three requirements: 1. It must have a lid. 2. It must be able to go into the oven. 3. It must be big enough to hold all of your ingredients. I'm thinking Le Creuset, cast iron cookware, or something similar.
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  Place rack in lower position, and preheat oven to 255f (124c).
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  Add sliced mushrooms and onions to pot; sprinkle with coarse kosher salt and pepper, to taste, and sauté until the veggies begin to release their juices, this should take about 6 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high; and continue to sauté until veggies are tender and begin to brown, about 4 minutes longer.
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  Add vermouth to the mushrooms and boil until almost evaporated but still moist, scraping up browned bits, about 1 minute. Chef's Note: Some chefs do not cook with, or consume alcohol. If that's the case, then substitute the booze with the same amount of beef broth. The dynamics of the dish will change, but it will still taste excellent. Season to taste with coarse kosher salt and pepper.
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  Add the diced tomato, and stir to incorporate, about 30 seconds.
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  Add the dry spices: paprika, cumin, and stir to incorporate, and then let the spices cook with the veggies for an additional minute or two. Chef's Note: Be very careful at this stage so that nothing in the pot goes from being brown, to being black.
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  Add the four cups of reserved broth (should be good and warm) to the mixture, reduce heat to medium, and allow to simmer until sauce begins to thicken, about 8 minutes.
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  Add the sliced beef, and continue to simmer, until the beef begins to cook in the sauce, about 8 minutes.
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  Place the covered pot into the oven, and allow to cook for 2.5 hours.
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  About two hours into the process, remove the crème fraîche or heavy whipping cream, sour cream, and cream cheese from the fridge, allow to warm up a bit, then mix all three ingredients together until fully incorporated, and set aside.
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  After about 2 hours, make the rice, according to package directions, reserve, and keep warm.
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  After about 2.5 hours, add the cream cheese, sour cream, and crème fraîche or heavy whipping cream mixture, to the pot, stir to combine, and then return to the oven for an additional 20 to 30 minutes.
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  Serving Suggestion 1: Party Time 1. Put all of the rice in one bowl. 2. Put all of the beef stroganoff in another bowl. 3. Put them on your sideboard. 4. Lay out some napkins, silverware, and plates. 5. Stand back.
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  Serving Suggestion 2: Individual Servings 1. Take 1/4 cup of the rice, and place in the middle of the plate. 2. Take 1/2 cup of the beef stroganoff, and place around the rice. The rice is like an island in the middle of a sea of beef. 3. Sprinkle a bit of paprika over the dish, for decoration. 4. Serve.
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  Enjoy... Keep the faith, and keep cooking...
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