Excellent braised beef recipes to excite your taste buds

Every once in a while, we feel that particular longing for warm and nostalgic comfort food that ignites familiar senses. That kind of food that flashes that effusive gushy feeling in everyone reminiscent of their happy memories. The subtle hearty flavour of the braised beef is a runaway winner for most food lovers out there who crave for that aroma and tender beef. Here are some of the surefire braised beef palates truly inspired by different nations to give you a taste of how the world enjoy that true-blue flavourful braised beef goodness.

Soy-Braised Beef Strips and Quail Eggs

• 1 pound beef skirt steak
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 leek, white parts only
• 4 ounces Korean white radish
• 10 cloves garlic
• 1 piece dried kelp
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 4 ounces small Korean twist peppers
• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 3/4 cup sugar
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 8 quail eggs, washed well
• Black sesame seeds, for serving (optional)

The dish is best complimented with bland rice or other dishes to balance that somewhat salty kick. Hard boiled chicken eggs are a common substitute if quail eggs are not available. Peel the shell from the egg and carefully dip in the broth to absorb that zesty flavour.

Red Wine Braised Beef with Mild Mushroom Steak Sauce

• Beef
• Kosher salt
• 1 (2 1/2- to 3-pound) boneless chuck roast
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 medium fennel bulb, thinly sliced
• 8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups dry spicy red wine, such as Cabernet or Merlot
• 1-quart chicken or beef stock
• Freshly ground black pepper

Wild mushroom steak sauce

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 large shallots, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 pound small wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, lobster mushrooms, porcinis or a combination, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup chicken or beef stock
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme

This has been a favourite family dining table staple for the longest time, rekindling relationships and fortifying closeness. The wild mushroom steak sauce heightens that fragrant flavour further. One can even add up in season sidings with boiled potatoes or roasted asparagus with fresh sliced tomatoes for an extra garnish.

Braised Beef Short Ribs

• 4 pounds beef short ribs
• 3 cups Zinfandel
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup canned diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 ounces dried mushrooms, preferably porcini

Creole cooking culture along with other assimilated cultural heritage concocted, makes this fine cuisine a unique classic offering. Predominant cooking influences from the Spanish, Italian, French Senegal, and Haitians have stirred a bit of their own complex flavour in this one-pot meal. Try adding a reduction of Zinfandel wine for that perfect fatty texture embellishment.

h/t: Food Republic
Also available on Zyne.ca