beef essentials: scrummy beef & mushrooms

How To Make beef essentials: scrummy beef & mushrooms

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  Step 1
  PREP/PREPARE
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  Step 2
  Chef's Note: Why am I using a charcoal chuck steak? In my opinion, this is the best steak to use: 1. It's inexpensive (cheap). 2. It's chock full of flavor. 3. It was born to braise.
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  Step 3
  Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
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  Step 4
  Cut the steak into cubes, and then clean, stem, and quarter the mushrooms.
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  Step 5
  Add the flour to a bowl, and season with a bit of salt, and pepper.
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  Step 6
  Toss the beef in the flour.
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  Step 7
  Add the butter and grapeseed oil to a large sauté pan over medium heat.
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  Step 8
  Add the floured beef chunks to the pan.
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  Step 9
  Cook until browned on all sides, about 5 – 7 minutes.
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  Step 10
  Remove the beef and reserve.
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  Step 11
  Add the mushrooms to the pan.
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  Step 12
  Sauté until they soften and begin to release their moisture.
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  Step 13
  Chef’s Note: You may need to add some additional butter or oil to the pan. In fact, you probably will.
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  Step 14
  Chef's Note: When you add the mushrooms, you are adding them to a pan that has fonds on the bottom of the pan. Fonds are those brown bits of flavor left over from cooking the beef. You have to be very careful that you don't burn those yummy brown bits. So, as you cook the mushrooms reduce the heat as necessary, and even take the pan off the heat to keep those fonds from burning. This is a crucial step in the process. DO NOT BURN THOSE FONDS.
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  Step 15
  Add the red wine and chicken stock to the pan, and then use a wooden spoon to scrape up those brown bits (fonds) on the bottom of the pan, and incorporate them into the sauce.
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  Step 16
  Chef's Note: If you are not using the wine, do two things: 1. Change the chicken stock to beef stock. 2. Substitute the wine with an equal amount of beef stock.
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  Step 17
  Return the beef to the pan, then add the capers, paprika, and cumin, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
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  Step 18
  Chef’s Tip: When I serve this dish in the Winter months, when Jack Frost is knocking at the door, I’ll add a bit of cayenne to give it some warmth.
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  Step 19
  Reduce the heat to low, cover, and allow the ingredients to lightly simmer until the beef cubes are tender, about 30 to 45 minutes.
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  Step 20
  Chef’s Note: If the sauce it not thick enough for you combine the flour and water together to make a slurry, add it to the pan, and cook for an additional 5 – 7 minutes.
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  Step 21
  PLATE/PRESENT
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  Step 22
  Serve this dish over some nice flat egg noodles, or maybe with a baked or mashed potatoes, Enjoy.
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  Step 23
  Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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