Carbonnade (Beef and Onions Stewed in Beer)
From The Best Recipes in the World by Mark Bittman. “A simple beef stew that is good over buttered noodles or with plain boiled potatoes. Also works well with chunks of lamb shoulder or veal shoulder.”
Beer- and Onion-Braised Chicken Carbonnade
DH and I enjoyed this flavorful, easy to make recipe from the January 2009 Bon Appetit. Carbonnade is a Belgian beef stew flavored with beer, onions, and brown sugar. Bon Appetit substituted chicken thighs for this twist on an old favorite. Serve over egg noodles.
Gigot a La Cuillère – French Slow Cooked Spoon Lamb
A classic French Bistro recipe, and one that is SO easy to cook; the lamb in this recipe is cooked after 5 or 6 hours, but 7 hours is the traditional French timing for ‘gigot a la cuillère’ – a joint that can be carved with a spoon, hence its name! You will need a very large ovenproof casserole with a lid or a large, deep roasting tin, which you can cover tightly with tin foil – or, this can be cooked with GREAT success in the crock-pot. This lamb is just divine when served alongside gratin Dauphinoise and steamed haricots verts. I add lots of garlic for quite a pungent flavour – adjust the garlic and seasonings to personal taste.
Carbonade Flamande – Flemish Beef and Beer Stew/Casserole
Slow cooked beef with garlic, onions and bacon in Belgian beer – served with Dijon mustard croutons…….absolute bliss! I have eaten this many times on visits to Belgium and it remains a firm favourite, especially when eaten with piles of fluffy mashed potatoes and a glass of fine Belgian beer! This recipe serves two hungry people, but it can be increased to serve a crowd, and works beautifully in the crockpot too. (The recipe is courtesy of Cecile Loubaud and the Batham’s Brewery.) NB: Traditionally, the meat should be grilled on a barbecue – hence the name! The word comes from the Italian carbonate (charcoal-grilled).
Fragrant Steamed Mussels in Vermouth With Herbs and Shallots
I love Moules/Mussels, plus they are low in fat and high in minerals, making them very healthy! This is my own version of the Traditional French Moules Mariniere. The vermouth adds a complex and sweet taste to these mussels, and the tarragon compliments the vermouth perfectly. These mussels really are fragrant – the whole kitchen is perfumed with the sweet and aromatic smell whilst they are steaming! Serve with good bread and frites (French fries) for a delicious main meal or luncheon dish.
