Beef Bourguignon

Preheat the oven to 350°F. 

Add the beef to a large mixing bowl and season it with the salt and pepper then toss with the flour. Set aside. 

In a large cast-iron cocotte dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium-low heat until the edges of the bacon are crispy. Remove the bacon to a large bowl, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

Increase the heat to medium high. Add the beef to the fat in the pan and brown it on all sides. Remove the beef rom the pan to the bowl with the bacon.

Add the onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, or until aromatic. Remove the vegetables from the pan to the bowl with the beef.

Deglaze the pan with the cognac and cook until reduced by half, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits.

Stir in the tomato paste then add the wine, stock, thyme, brown sugar, and a pig pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat.

Return the bacon, beef, and vegetables stop the pot, cover, and place in the oven.

Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the preheated oven, until the beef is fork-tender. Remove from the oven, and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Serve garnished with parsley over my favorite mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower.