Beef Stew with Madeira

Submitted by: Tara	Country: U.S.A.
Category: Home/Stews & Casseroles
Quantity: 4 servings	Preparation time: 0:10 hr. Cooking time: 1:40 hr.

Ingredients

1-1/2 lb	round steak, cut in 2-in/4-cm cubes	700 g
1/4 cup	Madeira wine	60 mL
2 tbsp	vegetable oil	30 mL
16	baby onions, peeled	16
1 tbsp	flour	15 mL
2 cups	beef stock	500 mL
	bouquet garni (parsley, thyme and bay leaf)
1	clove of garlic, crushed	1
	salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups	mushrooms, quartered	500 mL
1 cup	green olives, pitted	250 mL

Directions

Heat the oil in a thick, flame-proof casserole and brown the beef, a few pieces at a time. Take out the beef, turn down the heat and brown the onions and reserve them. Discard all but 1 tbsp/15 mL oil.

Replace the beef, stir in the flour and cook 30 seconds. Pour in the Madeira wine, heat until nearly boiling and flame it. Add the stock, bouquet garni, garlic and seasoning; cover pot and simmer gently for 90 minutes or until the beef is almost tender. Add the onions and mushrooms and cook 15 minutes longer or until the beef and vegetables are tender.

Add the olives and heat thoroughly. Discard bouquet garni, taste the stew for seasoning and serve with buttered noodles or pasta shells.