Beef stew in red wine sauce

Greek Cuisine

Ingredients:
- 2 ½ pound beef brisket.
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth.
- 1 pound pearl onions, peeled and cut off the root end of each.
- 1 Spanish onion, chopped.
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped.
- 4 cloves shallots, diced.
- 3 dried bay leaf.
- 2 ½ cup robust red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon).
- 5 tbsp all-purpose flour (3 tbsp for soup base; 2 tbsp for flouring beef chunks).
- 1 ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- 1 tsp kosher salt.
- 3 tbsp olive oil.

Directions:
- Trim the fat off the beef brisket, wash and towel dry. Cut into 2 inch chunks and lightly dust with 2 tbsp flour.
- Coat a 10 inch skillet with 1 tbsp of olive oil.
- Sear the meat on all sides until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Add ½ cup of red wine to deglaze pan. Set aside liquid.
- Lightly coat a heavy-bottomed pot with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Place over medium high heat.
- Add onions, shallots, garlic, and sauté until brown, about 5 minutes.
- Put the deglazing skillet on medium heat and stir in 3 tbsp of flour, stir constantly until the flour is cooked.
- Add the reserved deglazing liquid to the pot.
- Add bay leaf, 2 cups of beef broth, 2 cups of red wine, and 1 cup of water.
- Add beef brisket chunks. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until the meat is tender, about 2 ½ hours and the liquid has reduced. Stir occasionally.
- Add the pearl onions. Simmer at low heat until tender, about ½ hour.
- Remove bay leaf and discard.
- Season stew with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Spoon stew into bowls. Serve with a slice of toasted bread if desired.