Beef Bourguignon Help!

[BarbaraS]

Hello All,

I have a killer Beef Bourguignon recipe that I've only made once and would like to make again this Sunday. It calls for 2 1/2 lbs of chuck to be cut into 1" cubes and browned before throwing in all the rest of the ingredients. After cooking it 1 1/4 hours (per recipe instructions), the chuck was still a little tough.

Does anyone have any suggestions how to tenderize the chuck/cook the chuck longer without turning all the veggies to mush?

I hate to "hot link", but so as not to violate any copyright laws, the recipe can be viewed here:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-g...index.html

It's an excellent recipe. For the Pinot Noir, I use Foris. It's from Oregon and very tasty.

Barbara

[luvnit]

I would suggest using a 'needler' tenderizer or have your butcher run the roast through their 'cube steak' tenderizer. I have had mine do that before and it works beautifully. Then I have nothing to clean at home.

[DFen911]

I'd pull the meat out and let it simmer in the pot in the oven at 250 for about 2 hours if you have the time. Put the veggies in the fridge which will stop the cooking process and you can heat them up with the meat when it's done.

[Old Bay]

Quote:

---

I'd pull the meat out and let it simmer in the pot in the oven at 250 for about 2 hours if you have the time. Put the veggies in the fridge which will stop the cooking process and you can heat them up with the meat when it's done.

---

I agree, but I wonder if she got an inferior piece of meat. Chuck, cut properly, should not be tough cooked that way. I've been fooled a few times. Even trimming the chuck it was wonderful.

[cjs]

I agree with Bill - I think you got a bad chuck. I'd just try it again. maybe a little smaller pieces. And is your oven calibrated correctly?

[BarbaraS]

This time I'll get my chuck at Whole Foods.

Barbara

[DFen911]

Point well taken. It does depend on how you cut it to make sure you go against the grain. Everytime I've done chuck I cook it a long time on low, at least 3 hours.