Thursday, July 3, 2025

A Flavorful Journey with Beef Daube: A Provençal Delight from Murder on the Menu

 
You may recall my culinary curiosity sparked by the Provençal classic, Beef Daube, after watching the captivating French series “Marianne, One of a Kind.” Last week, I revisited this hearty dish with a new recipe from my book, Murder on the Menu, courtesy of Howard Engel, the brilliant author behind the Benny Cooperman mystery series. The result? A rich, soul-warming stew that’s as comforting as it is delicious. Here’s the recipe, perfect for cozy evenings or impressing guests with rustic French charm.

Boeuf en Daube Recipe

2 T. good olive oil
¼ lb. salt pork or streaky smoked pork, cubed
1 piece of orange peel
1 large onion, studded with 7
cloves
10 peppercorns
3-5 cloves garlic, peeled
1½ lbs. best-quality stewing beef, cut into 1” cubes
1 bay leaf
2-3 carrots, cut into rounds
1 t.
dried thyme
1 t. dried rosemary
Good red wine (enough to cover ingredients)

In an earthenware crock* with a tight-fitting lid, combine olive oil, salt pork, orange peel, clove-studded onion, peppercorns, garlic, beef, bay leaf, carrots, thyme, and rosemary.

 Pour in red wine to cover all ingredients.

Seal the lid with a flour-and-water paste to minimize moisture loss.

Bake at 325°F for at least 1½ hours. Alternatively, simmer on low in a coated metal pot for the same duration. The longer it cooks, the richer the flavors!

Serve over a bed of mashed potatoes or shell pasta for a complete meal.

 *I used a Dutch Oven.

This Beef Daube is a testament to the magic of slow cooking—tender beef, aromatic herbs, and a robust wine-infused broth that warms the heart. Pair it with a glass of red wine and crusty bread for an unforgettable dining experience. Have you tried Beef Daube before? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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3 comments:

Gina said...

Wow, this sounds delicious and yes, I would definitely use my cast iron dutch oven for it. The addition of the smoked pork intrigues me!

Linda said...

It sounds so good, and I can almost smell it cooking. The red wine would just take it over the top for me. Serving it over mashed potatoes would make me swoon!

Angie's Recipes said...

My mouth is watering! That's one of my favourites.