It's time to get COZY !!

Wintertime is the time to climb into a big comfy chair by the fire and get cozy!  I recommend a big bowl of Winter Stew with a hunk of rustic country bread that pairs beautifully with a hearty bottle of Peasant  (GSM) or a big rich Syrah like Auspicious Omen….

This is mandatory for surviving winter with style…   Make yourself a big bowl with a hunk of crusty bread and climb into the comfy chair by the fire with a big glass of “the Peasant”  GSM or “Auspicious Omen” Syrah and just BE the Peasant! 

For Winter Stew:
5 lbs of Stew Beef (preferably Chuck & Round) cut into large cubes 3x3
4-5  med onions coarsely chopped
6 Carrots cut into 3” pieces
4 Celery stalks cut into 3” pieces
4-5 cloves of garlic 
Whole black peppercorns 1 teaspoon
4-5 whole cloves
1 Qrt of Beef Stock
1 750ml bottle of Peasant or hearty Rhone wine
¼ cup of cognac
Fresh parsley 1 tbsp coarsely  chopped
Fresh Thyme  1 tbsp coarsely  chopped
Fresh Rosemary 2 tbsp coarsely  chopped
4 Bay Leaves
Tomato Paste 2 tbsp
Grated Zest and juice of 1 orange
Flour with Salt & pepper for browning the stew meat
Final Salt & pepper to taste

For Mushrooms:

2 lbs of Wild Mushrooms, Chanterelle preferred, thickly sliced (brown Crimini are Ok) 
3-4 cloves of garlic diced
2 teaspoons of fresh thyme
1 tbsp fresh Parsley chopped
1 cup dry Sherry
Salt & Pepper to taste
Butter ½ stick 
Olive Oil ¼ cup

For Roasted Potatoes

2 lbs of small potatoes, (Yukon or assort of fingerling) cut to 2-3” size
Toss with Olive oil, Salt, Pepper, and Fresh Parsley, Sage, Rosemary &Thyme 

Step 1:  Marinate the Beef & Vegetables: Combine Beef, onions, Carrots & Celery in Stockpot with Herbs, Garlic, Whole Peppercorns & Cloves, Pour in Wine & Cognac. Mix by hand and refrigerate for 18-24 hrs. 

Step 2:  Separate Meat & Vegetables from the marinade. Add beef stock to the marinade and bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Remove meat and pat dry. Let meat return to room temperature.  Dredge in flour mix and brown on all sides in a separate pan with olive oil. (Very important step,  All the flavor is in the caramelization of the browning process.)  Return pieces to marinade. Brown Vegetables and return to marinade. Stir in tomato paste and simmer until the meat is tender 31/2 to 4 hrs. Roast potatoes separately (45min) but have them ready for assemblage.

Step 3: Assemblage:  Saute mushrooms separately, and add to stew pot 10 min before serving. Add Orange Zest & orange juice (the secret to the flavor) & Salt & pepper to taste.  Spoon 3-4 potatoes in a bowl,  Ladle stew over potatoes.  Serves with warm crusty bread.  

So grab a willing companion to cuddle and get busy!! To help get this moment going we put together the Cozy Winter Pak (1 bottle each of Peasant (GSM), Auspicious Omen Syrah & the Heretic for those wanting to GO BIG!!) at a special price.



Stay Cozy and get your Freak on!
~Christian