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Braised Beef with Mushrooms and Chestnuts

Braised Beef with Mushrooms and Chestnuts

A festive braise that cooks for three hours until it melts in your mouth, with mushrooms, chestnuts, and date syrup.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Israeli, Jewish
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1¾ lb (800 g) beef rib meat, cut into cubes (boneless short rib or chuck works well)
  • 3 onions, sliced into strips
  • 4 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 2 containers fresh mushrooms, sliced CHECK – how many grams in each mushroom container?
  • 1 bag peeled, cooked chestnuts CHECK – how many grams of chestnuts (bag size)?
  • 4 tablespoons date syrup (silan), or honey
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil, for frying
  • Boiling water, as needed
  • 2–3 tablespoons chopped parsley, for garnish

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a wide pot. Sear the beef cubes well on all sides, then transfer to a plate.
  2. In the same pot, add a generous amount of olive oil and fry the onions for about 10 minutes, until they cook down.
  3. Add the garlic and mushrooms and keep frying for about 5 more minutes.
  4. Season with the paprika, turmeric, salt, and pepper and stir well.
  5. Return the beef to the pot, add the chestnuts, and pour the date syrup over the top.
  6. Pour in boiling water to the level of the meat. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 3 hours. [CHECK – medium heat (card) or low heat (post)?]
  7. Remove the lid and let the liquid reduce for another 15–20 minutes.
  8. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Tips
  • Sear in batches if your pot is crowded, so the beef browns instead of steaming.
  • Give the onions the full 10 minutes. They add sweetness and body to the sauce.
  • Check the pot now and then during the long braise and add a little boiling water if it gets dry.
Substitutions
  • Date syrup (silan) → honey.
  • Beef rib meat → boneless beef short ribs or chuck roast, cubed.
  • Pre-cooked, vacuum-packed chestnuts are the easiest option and are sold in most US supermarkets around the holidays.