Pioneer Woman Beef Stew with Mushrooms

I came across the Pioneer Woman very recently and am absolutely in love with her food blog. Her photos are divine, her recipes delicious and her writing amusing and witty. Hers isn't a health food blog though... Butter rules the roost but it makes things damn tasty.

My absolute favourite of her recipes is Beef Stew with Mushrooms.

I make a few very minor adjustments when I make my version, like omitting the flour and reducing the amount of butter, but other than that, everything is the same.

Make sure you use the beef consomme instead of beef stock... it makes all the difference!

And... Be sure to check out Pioneer Woman's site and the original recipe for beautiful step-by-step photos.

Pioneer Woman Beef Stew with Mushrooms

2 pounds beef stewing meat
2 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 whole shallot, minced (or half of one onion)
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces button mushrooms (white or brown) cut in half or quarters if very large
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 can Beef Consomme (about 142 ml, or just over 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup water
Salt And Pepper, to taste
enough egg noodles to serve your guests, cooked and drained
1-2 tbsp corn starch, mixed in a small dish with a bit of water

1. Rinse beef in a colander under water. Place in a single layer between paper towels and pat dry.

2. Melt butter with olive oil over high heat in a dutch oven or other heavy pot. Place beef pieces into pot and sear a minute or two on each side. Remove from pot and set aside.

3. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add shallots to the same pot. Saute for 2 minutes. Add garlic and saute another minute. Add mushrooms and saute another couple minutes.

4. Add wine, consomme and 1/2 cup of water. Add a dash of salt and pepper to taste. Bring liquid to a boil.

5. Add the beef back to the pot. Reduce heat to low. Add thyme or rosemary. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30-40 minutes.

6. Add cornstarch mixed with water to the stew and stir occasionally to thicken for another 10 minutes.

7. Serve over cooked egg noodles. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.