Ingredients

• 2 large onions, chopped
• butter, cubed
• 1 kg round steak, in equal 1–1.5" pieces
• 250g of bacon (thick slices, not lardons; optional)
• fresh-ground black pepper
• salt
• 2–3 bottles of Sint Bernardus Abt 12
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 sprigs thyme
• 1 whole clove
• 1 tbsp. Liège syrup [CP: this was 2 tbsp., 1 tbsp. needs testing] OR 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• enough slices of brown sandwich bread or pain d’épices to cover the surface of your pot
• 2 tbsp. (sharp) mustard
• dash white vinegar
• 1 kg potatoes
• mayonnaise

Preparation

Heat a large stew-pot over medium heat and melt a knob of butter. Cook the onions for around 10 minutes, covered, and make sure not to let them brown. If using the bacon, add it now, raise the heat a bit, and stir regularly, still keeping it covered as much as possible. When the bacon is cooked (or if you’re not using it), take everything out of the pot (leaving the juices) and reserve.

Add another knob of butter. Sear the meat cubes on all sides until golden brown, seasoning with a bit of salt and pepper. Reserve the meat. If you are using cassonade instead of Liège syrup, add it to the pot now, mix with all of the meat and onion juices, and let it reduce by half to make a “syrup.”

Return the onions (and possibly bacon) and the meat to the pan. Deglaze with the beer, adding enough just to cover the meat all the way, and bring to a boil. Tie the thyme and bay leaves together and add the herbs, clove, and Liège syrup (if using) to the pot. Smear the bread with the mustard and add it to the pot, smeared side down.

Let the stew simmer for three and a half hours, uncovered. The cooking time will depend on the quality of the meat. Stir occasionally to check doneness. Cover only when the sauce has sufficiently thickened.

Finish the stew with a dash of white vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.

For the frites:

Peel the potatoes and cut them into strips (ideally, 1.3cm). Do not wash them, as this rinses off the starch. Heat the fryer to 140C. Fry the fries for the first time, but do not let them brown. Cool them in a baking dish with some paper towels. Heat the fryer to 180C, and fry the fries until golden brown and crispy. Drain the fries over some paper towel and sprinkle with salt.

Serve a portion of stew with fries and a spoonful of fresh mayonnaise.

Dagelijkse kost + Marmiton, translated and adapted and etc.

Ingredients

• 1 chicken
• 100g celery (4 or 5 ribs), in large pieces
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 tbsp thyme (or a handful of fresh thyme branches)
• 1 bay leaf
• 5 tbsp butter, divided
• 200g (1/2 lb.) white mushrooms, in pieces (around 1cm or 1/2")
• 1 leek, minced
• 1 or 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 200g (1/2 lb.) ground veal
• 5 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 200 mL (1 c.) cream
• 2 egg yolks
• Freshly ground pepper and salt
• 4 round puff pastries (bouchées à la reine)
• Parsley

Preparation

Place the chicken in water with the celery, onion, thyme, and bay leaf. Season heavily with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for around an hour, removing the foam regularly.

In a separate pan, cook the mushrooms and the leek with 1 tbsp. of the butter and the lemon juice. Season heavily with salt and pepper (this mixture should be a bit overseasoned, by itself), and add some of the stock from the chicken pot if they start to dry out.

Form the ground veal into meatballs about the size of marbles (around 1/2" or 1cm, maybe a little bigger), and cook them for two or three minutes in boiling salted water. Plunge them into cold water to stop their cooking.

When the chicken is done, bone it and cut it into pieces. Sieve the chicken broth and discard the solids. Make a roux with the remaining 4 tbsp. of butter and the flour. Slowly add the chicken broth until you get a slightly thick, smooth sauce, the consistency of a quite thick gravy. (It should take around 3 or 4 cups, 75 or 100 cL; it should also be a bit too thick, as you’ll thin it with the cream in a moment.) Cook the sauce for a bit.

Add the chicken, the meatballs, and the mushroom mixture. Let that simmer for a second to blend flavors. Add half of the cream and bring back to a simmer. Mix the egg yolks with the remaining cream, and add this to the sauce. Warm it just until it thickens, but do not let it boil.

Serve over the puff-pastry rounds, garnishing with parsley.

visit.brussels, edited heavily

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
• 1 pound Hungarian wax peppers or Italian frying peppers—cored, seeded and chopped
• 1 1/2 pounds wild mushrooms, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 pounds cremini or white button mushrooms, quartered
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1/4 cup sweet Hungarian paprika
• 1 tablespoon hot Hungarian paprika
• One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 pound zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh bread crumbs
• Sour cream and chopped parsley, for serving

Preparation

In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the oil. Add the onions and peppers and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add all of the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook until browned, about 10 minutes.

Using the side of a chef’s knife, mash the garlic to a paste with the caraway seeds and a generous pinch of salt; scrape into the casserole. Stir in both paprikas, the tomatoes, potatoes and zucchini. Add the broth and bay leaves, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat, until the stew is richly flavored, about 1 hour.

Stir the bread crumbs into the stew and cook until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes; serve with sour cream and parsley.

Food & Wine

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 large rosemary sprig
• 1 fennel bulb—cored and finely diced, stems finely chopped
• 1 quart heavy cream
• 2 small leeks, white and pale green parts only, thinly sliced
• Eight 1-inch-thick slices of brown bread
• 1 cup frozen baby peas, thawed
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 1/2 dozen shucked oysters, with their liquor
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons minced chives

Preparations

In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the rosemary over low heat. Remove from the heat and let the rosemary butter cool to room temperature; discard the rosemary.

In a large saucepan, combine the chopped fennel stems with the cream and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Strain the cream and discard the chopped fennel stems. Return the cream to the saucepan. Add the diced fennel and simmer over moderate heat until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the leeks and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let stand for 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°. Brush the bread with the rosemary butter and arrange on a baking sheet. Bake the bread for about 8 minutes, until lightly toasted.

Bring the cream back to a boil. Stir in the peas, lemon zest and lemon juice. Remove from the heat and stir in the oysters and their liquor. Let the stew stand for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.

Ladle the stew into bowls and stand a piece of toast in each bowl. Garnish with the chives and serve.

Food & Wine

Ingredients

• 6 shallots (3 whole, 3 chopped)
• 3 whole cloves, stuck into 3 shallots
• 1 carrot, peeled
• 2 celery stalks
• 6 peppercorns
• 3 bay leaves
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 2 pounds lamb steaks, cubed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• ½ cup Crème Fraiche
• ½ cup dill, chopped
• 6 ounces white corn, cooked

Preparation

Place 3 clove studded shallots, carrot, celery, peppercorns, bay leaves and stock in heavy saucepan. Simmer 10 minutes, add the lamb and cook for 2 hours. Discard vegetables and spices. Reserve lamb and stock. In saucepan on low heat, sauté 3 chopped shallots in butter. Stir in sugar and flour. Remove from heat, add reserved stock and stir. Return to heat and stir constantly while adding Crème Fraiche. Fold in lamb cubes and ½ pkg. chopped dill. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over corn. Garnish with remaining sprigs of dill.

Fresh Herbs

Ingredients

• 3 medium ancho chiles, toasted and ground
• 3 tablespoons NM red chili (medium)
• 2 tablespoons cumin seeds, toasted and ground
• 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
• 7 1/2 c. water
• 4 lb. beef chuck roast, cut into 1" cubes
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 lb. bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4-5 small jalapeños [CP: yes, that many], cored, seeded, and minced
• 1 c. crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp. lime juice
• 5 tbsp. masa

Preparation

Mix chili powder, cumin, oregano, and 1/2 cup water to form paste. Toss beef cubes with salt.

Fry bacon in large Dutch oven over medium-low heat until fat renders and bacon crisps, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon with slotted spoon and drain. Pour all but 2 teaspoons grease into small bowl; set aside. Increase heat to medium-high; brown on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch, adding additional bacon fat as necessary. Reduce heat to medium, add 3 tbsp. bacon fat to empty pan. Add onion; sauté until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeños, sauté 1 minute. Add chili paste, sauté 2 to 3 minutes. Add bacon and beef, tomatoes, lime juice, and 7 c. water, bring to simmer. Cook at a steady simmer until meat is tender and juices are dark, rich, and starting to thicken, about 2 hours.

Mix masa with 2/3 cup water in a small bowl. Increase heat to medium; stir in paste and simmer until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Ingredients

• 2 poblano peppers
• 1 head garlic
• 1 large onion olive oil
• 1 c. pistachios
• 1 lb. ground lamb
• 1 lb. ground pork
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 2 cans white beans
• oregano
• feta cheese

Preparation

Roast the poblanos, garlic, and onion in the oven (with some olive oil) until soft and a bit charred. Skin the poblanos. Roughly chop them up, add more olive oil, and the pistachios, and toss everything into a blender or food processor. Turn it into a paste.

Brown the ground lamb and pork in a dutch oven, and add the paste. Cook for a while. Add two cans of tomatoes, two cans of white beans, and some oregano. Simmer everything together for a while. Add feta and serve.

Friends from church

Ingredients

• 2 lg. red onions, chopped
• 2 lg. tomatoes, finely diced
• 1 slab ribs (~3 lb.) washed and cut apart (any variety)
• 3 tb. qibe or regular butter
• 1/4 c. fresh ginger, finely diced (or 1 tbsp. dried ginger)
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, finely diced
• 1 jalapeño or other hot fresh pepper, minced (optional)
• 1/4 to 1 tsp. salt, to taste
• 1/4 to 1 tsp. pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 c. water (or more, for a more “brothy” dish)

Preparation

Put the onions and tomatoes in a pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes – do not let them dry out or brown. Add the ribs to the pot and let them steep out their juices, turning a few times. This takes maybe 20 minutes, depending on your ribs. Once the pot is saturated with the juices of the meat (again, don’t let it dry out), add the qibe or butter, ginger, garlic, jalapeño, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine and give it a few minutes for the flavors to meld. Then add the water to the pot – the ribs don’t have to be submerged but should be at least partially covered. Let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, more for thicker ribs. When the pot’s volume is considerably lower and the meat looks tender and cooked, take your pot off the stove.

Penzey’s Spices

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground chuck
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped
• 1 quart water
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 ounce unsweetened chocolate
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 bay leaf, crumbled
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 drops Tabasco sauce
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 beef bouillon cubes

Preparation

Bring the water to the boil and add the ground beef. Stir until the beef is separated and add the rest of the ingredients.

Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 2 to 3 hours, or until thickened. Cool, then refrigerate overnight. Skim off any accumulated fat and reheat the chili.

Serves with any or all of the following accompaniments:

• 1 way: cooked spaghetti.
• 2 way: finely grated cheddar cheese
• 3 way: chopped raw onion
• 4 way: cooked kidney beans
• 5 way: oyster crackers

KelBel, Food.com

Ingredients

• Oil (vegetable, peanut, canola or olive, anything will work well)
• 2 pounds boneless lamb shoulder or leg, cut into 1-inch cubes
• Kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 large or 2 small onions, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 3 ribs celery, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 3 turnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 1/2 cup tomato puree
• 2 pints stout beer (recommended: Guinness)
• 1 small bunch marjoram, tied together with string
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

Coat a wide, large heavy-bottomed pot with oil and heat over high heat. Toss 1/2 of the lamb cubes generously with salt and half of the flour. Add immediately to the hot oil and brown well on all sides. When the lamb is really brown on all sides, remove it from the pot and reserve. If the oil begins to smoke, lower the heat and continue. Repeat this process with the remaining lamb and flour. Put all the browned lamb on a plate.

Remove the excess oil from the pot, add a little fresh oil and heat it over medium-high heat. Add the onions and celery and season with salt. Cook until the onions start to soften and are very aromatic, about 7 to 8 minutes. Add the turnips, stir to combine and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Return the lamb to the pan and add the tomato puree, stout, marjoram, and bay leaves. Stir to combine, taste for seasoning and adjust, if needed. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat it to a simmer. Cover the pot halfway with a lid and simmer the stew for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, checking and stirring occasionally. Remove the lid during the last 15 to 20 minutes of the cooking time to allow the liquid to reduce and thicken. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed (it probably will). When it’s done, the lamb will be tender and full-flavored but not falling apart or stringy. Discard the bay leaves and transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Anne Burrell