French Beef Bourguignon-Style Stew

Beef slowly braised with red wine, mushrooms, onions, and herbs.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds beef chuck, cubed
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 cups red wine
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 12 ounces mushrooms
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 bay leaf

Directions

1. Brown bacon and remove.
2. Brown beef in batches in the bacon fat.
3. Cook onion and carrots, then stir in tomato paste.
4. Add wine, broth, thyme, bay leaf, beef, and bacon.
5. Cover and braise at 325°F about 2 1/2 hours.
6. Add mushrooms for the final 30 minutes.