This week Nana ventured into the December recipes while Tricia went back to conquer her failed gratin.
Both ended in victory and further kudos to Dorie.
Per Nana :
The recipe was relatively simple.
After I measured and chopped, I start to brown the beef.
In this case, I purchased a piece of bottom round. I know chuck would be a tastier cut, but there is too much trimming for our taste.
The bottom round was slightly tougher, but with a bottle of wine, cognac, and about three hours of cooking, what's not to like ?
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I did not use the garlic halved as suggested, but I did put in about 6-7 whole cloves that disappeared, giving it a wonderful flavor, not overpowering.
I used a Syrah wine as suggested by Dorie, and my Cognac really was an Otard cognac that we purchased when we visited the Cognac area in our travels. Little did I know I would be putting it in a stew.....
I must say that this was one of the tastiest stews I have ever made, and my husband and I both enjoyed it.
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Tricia's comment:
Nana, as usual, shared her efforts with us and this truly was an amazing stew. Very easy to understand the recipe's name.........
Tricia's "Cauliflower Bacon Gratin" (page 362) ~
Nana got a sample and it was a winner at her house too.
This one is a winner and is going to be referred to as my "Go to Cauliflower Gratin".
Tricia's "Cauliflower Bacon Gratin" (page 362) ~
Technically this is not a FFWD selection but was on the page following the potato gratin I did for 11/5th. I caught site of the recipe while doing the potatoes and knew I would go back (great results or not) to try this one.
I was stumped because the potato recipe did not turn out well and it appears that I am about the only person in the universe that had such results :) I had been intrigued by this cauliflower recipe and it contained many of the same ingredients.
Redemption !
I followed the recipe to a "T" and was more than delighted with the results. I served it to my 14 year old son and his visiting friend (not necassarily expecting wild accolades.....) and even they had huge second helpings.
This one is a winner and is going to be referred to as my "Go to Cauliflower Gratin".
The stew and the gratin both look delish!! So glad you conquered your gratin-itis (or whatever was ailing your first gratin). Love that you used your Cognac from Cognac. Yum!
ReplyDeleteI have been eyeing that cauliflower for a few weeks now. I think you have sent me on my way toward trying it. The stew looks absolutely perfect for a cold winter day.
ReplyDeleteInspiring! Both recipes look terrific. I too want to make the cauliflower... now I HAVE to!!
ReplyDeleteboth dishes look so good! congrats on your gratin redemption.
ReplyDeleteOoh, can't wait to make the stew myself! I've made the gratin, it was good. Congrats on your redemption. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love the bowl for the stew and both dishes look delicious. I'll be making the cauliflower gratin, soon, too.
ReplyDeleteWe loved the stew at our house too...especially the men! The first recipe I made from the book was the cauliflower gratin...just before I joined the group. We loved that one too. Good job to go back and get it right. If you were one of my kids I would tell you how proud of you I am...so, I guess I'll tell you the same thing...I am proud of you for doing it again and happy you had better results! on a similar dish.
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