O.K., you've pushed my buttons with this one. I've got ton's of great recipes, I love to cook. I especially love cooking the venison I put in the freezer every year. This one takes some time to put together but is absolutely amazing, worthy of serving if you're trying to impress someone. You can use beef, as it calls for, but venison makes it really special. Thanks go to Emeril for this one:
Cocoa Tinged Beef Stew with Root Vegetables
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse
Prep Time:30 minInactive Prep Time:--Cook Time:2 hr 0 min
Level:
--
Serves:
2 quarts stew, 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows
3/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 pound button mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 cup diced yellow onions
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups veal or beef stock, at room temperature
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1 pound small (golf ball size) new potatoes, quartered
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 cup frozen pearl onions, thawed
1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
Directions
Set a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to the pan and season the beef with 1 teaspoon of the salt, the Essence and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned beef, in batches if necessary, and cook until well browned on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the browned beef to a large plate or bowl and set aside.
Add the butter to the pan and, once melted, add the mushrooms and saute until lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add the onions to the pan and cook until wilted, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the flour to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add the veal stock, tomato paste, cocoa powder, thyme, oregano, basil, allspice, and browned meat to the pan and bring stock to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook the stew for 45 minutes. Remove the lid, add the potatoes, carrots and celery and continue to cook the stew for another 45 minutes. Add the pearl onions, stir to combine, and cook the stew for a final 15 minutes. Stir in the peas and parsley, cook for 5 minutes longer and serve.
Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Yield: 2/3 cup
Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, Published by William Morrow, 1993.
