Carbonnade


Carbonnade
Carbonnade is a dish that comes from Belgium and the north of France. Large pieces of beef are slowly simmered in beer with carrots and onions. Here's a personal version.
224 K 4.6/5 (36 reviews)
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Last modified on: November 13th 2011
For 12 people, you will need:

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Times for this recipe
Preparation: 35 min.
Cooking: 2 hours 15 min.
All in all: 2 hours 45 min.
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Step by step recipe


Stage 1 - 10 min.
Carbonnade : Stage 1
Cut 2 kgs beef into large cubes.

Stage 2 - 5 min.
Carbonnade : Stage 2
Prepare and chop 4 onions.

Stage 3 - 10 min.
Carbonnade : Stage 3
Prepare and chop 4 carrots.

Stage 4 - 10 min.
Carbonnade : Stage 4
Pour 10 tablespoons olive oil into a large heavy-based pan on high heat.

When hot, add the pieces of meat and fry until browned on each side (do not salt, as this will bring out the juices, which will stop them browning).

When browned, remove the meat from the pan and transfer to a plate to wait.

Stage 5 - 2 min.
Carbonnade : Stage 5
Use the same pan, which should now contain just a little fat, and fry the chopped onions with salt and pepper for 1 or 2 minutes, stirring from time to time.

Stage 6 - 3 min.
Carbonnade : Stage 6
Return the cubed meat to the pan and sprinkle with 4 tablespoons flour.

Stage 7 - 1 min.
Carbonnade : Stage 7
Add the diced carrots.

Stage 8 - 3 min.
Carbonnade : Stage 8
Add 2 kgs beer, then salt and pepper.

Stage 9 - 2 hours
Carbonnade : Stage 9
Turn the heat down to minimum and leave to simmer for about 2 hours...

Stage 10
Carbonnade : Stage 10
...until the beer has reduced to make a thick and tasty sauce. At the same time the meat will have become very well cooked tender.
Remarks
For the beer, I advise you to use a dark beer which will give stronger flavour.

In the so-called "Flemish" carbonnade, a little brown sugar or a slice of gingerbread spread with mustard is added to the dish. But, I don't feel that either is necessary.

For more flavour, you can add a beef stock cube.

Carbonnade is one of those dishes, like boeuf bourguignon for example, which is even better when it is reheated.
And to drink?
The same beer as you add to the dish - a Belgian beer, of course!

I prefer "Mort-Subite" Geuze ("sudden death"!), but you can use a dark beer like Chimay, or a British-style mild or strong ale.
Keeping: Several days in the fridge in a sealed container.
Source: Home made.
Nutritional information
Proteins (gr)Carbohydrates (gr)Fats (gr)Energy value (in k-calories)Energy value (in k-joules)
Whole recipe380 RDI=150 %390 RDI=40 %550 RDI=80 %8,050 RDI=400 %33,690 RDI: 400 %
Per 100 g6 RDI=3 %7 RDI=1 %10 RDI=2 %150 RDI=7 %620 RDI: 7 %
Per person30 RDI=10 %30 RDI=3 %50 RDI=7 %670 RDI=30 %2,810 RDI: 30 %
The % figures are calculated in relation to the Recommended Dietary Intake , or RDI of 2,000 k-calories (or 8,400 k-joules) per day for a woman Change to a man
Possible allergens in this recipe: Gluten
How much will it cost?
  • For 12 people : 24.05 €
  • Per person : 2.05 €

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Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
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The 1 comment already posted on this recipe
  • I have stumbled upon this dish in many cookbooks, JH but I never seen an actual picture! It looks delicious!!! Thank you for sharing...
    Posted by Louise november 14th 2011 at 23:20 n° 1

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