Monday, August 18, 2008

No more thyme
--Hearty Carbonnade


Hearty Carbonnade
The 150 Best Slow Cooker Recipes Copyright 2001


1 tbsp. vegetable oil
4 oz. chunk of bacon or salt pork belly, cut into ¼-inch cubes
2 lbs. stewing beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
4 medium onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1 tsp. celery seeds
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cracked black peppercorns
1 tbsp. granulated sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 cups beer

1. In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add bacon or salt pork and cook until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. Set aside. Drain off all but 1 tbsp. fat in pan.
2. Over medium-high heat, brown meat in batches. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a slow cooker.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add onions to pan and cook until soft. Add garlic, thyme, celery seeds, bay leaf, salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle sugar over mixture and stir well. Add flour and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Add bacon and beer and cook until mixture thickens.
4. Pour mixture over beef. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until meat is tender. Discard bay leaf. Serve immediately.
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A stew like this is an odd choice for August but it worked out well. I was able to put it together, leave for a late doctor's appointment and then come home to a cooked dinner. When I'm working, I'm gone to long to leave something cook in the crockpot all day, even on low.

I've made similar recipes and I'd have to say this was one of the better versions of carbonnade I've tried. I just have to face the fact that I don't like dried thyme though and leave it out next time.

So much to do, so little energy. I should probably decide what I'm making for dinner tonight soon. I did a good job planning my menus this week, I just forgot to finalize the schedule.

Question of the Day: Are there any spices or seasoning you don't like?

11 comments:

Unknown said...

I hate celery seed! It gets between your teeth and then when you accidentally bite down on it...agh!

Jennifer said...

Sesame seeds. I like sesame oil, but the taste of sesame seeds, blech...

I also don't like lemongrass.. it just tastes "off" to me.

But I LOVE cumin, cilantro, garlic and pretty much every other spice.

Anonymous said...

Cumin...unless it is verrrry little.

Jan

Annie Jones said...

I like cardamom, but for some reason, it upsets my stomach. A little cumin goes a long way, as does curry powder...but I do like them.

Anonymous said...

Anything with salt pork belly works for me!

I can't think of any spice that I don't like, at least not that I've come across yet.

Michele said...

fennel...ick! Just the smell of it makes me gag.

Sara said...

i hate dried thyme too. i also don't like dried rosemary.

ThursdayNext said...

I like most spices, but some in moderation. My beau is Indian, so I am introduced to new spices daily and love it.:)

Kim said...

Dried dill weed is way too overpowering for me. I've never liked it.

Anonymous said...

I just made the Americas Test Kitchen version of this. Really, really, really good. It calls for fresh thyme but I just tossed in some dried because I'm cheap and wouldn't pay $4 for a lil plastic container of it.:)

Oh I think I pretty much like all spices in moderation.

Linda Clement said...

I'm with you --love thyme in the garden as a hardy ground cover, dried I think it smells like mould. I don't use it, ever.

Tarragon, otoh... mmmmm....