Today in class, we made Boeuf Bouruigionne (beef in red wine) just like they do in the South of France. You start by marinating cubes of beef in red Burgundy wine, Cognac, and a mirapoix (chopped celery, carrots and onions). Put the beef in the refrigerator for 24 hours to three days. We left our over the weekend, so everything was all happy when we came to class this afternoon.

Next, you strain the vegetables and meat and brown them in oil over very high heat. Bring the wine marinade to a boil and remove any impurities that form on top. Put everything back together in a saucepan, add a little veal stock, flour, and tomato paste, cover and place in the oven for 1 – 1 ½ hours.

While the beef is cooking, brown some lardons (bacon), pearl onions and button mushrooms. Once the beef comes out of the oven, strain out the mirapoix. It’s done its duty in flavoring the sauce and can now be retired. The beef, sauce and lardoons/mushrooms/onions are mixed together, heated through and served with boiled potatoes. This is the perfect dish for a cold, rainy night when you crave something hot and delicious.

When the chef tastes my dish, he’s pleased. Evidently he really likes the sauce and says all the vegetables are well salted. The chefs here really like salt, so if I don’t have enough in my dish, I can loose points.

Once the chef has tasted, then I try everything. It’s quite remarkable actually. The beef could use another 30 minutes in the oven because it’s not fork tender, but everything else tastes like the heart of France. Maybe if I close my eyes, I can pretend I’m sitting in a café in Burgundy, sipping some red wine and eating this dish. But no, I’m standing in an extremely hot kitchen, dripping sweat, while my fellow students rush to finish their dishes.

I’m definitely starting to hit my stride in the kitchen that means the food and its preparation can take center stage. I no longer feel so rushed or so panicked. I’m much more organized and clean. It’s all starting to come together. Now if I could just have a kitchen like this at home…..

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