Braised beef is a cooking method that involves slowly cooking meat in a covered pot with some sort of liquid, such as broth or wine. This process typically takes several hours and is particularly effective for tough cuts of meat, such as brisket, chuck, or pork shoulder. The meat is first seared and browned in hot oil in a large Dutch oven or skillet, then a liquid is added, along with any desired spices and vegetables. The dish is then covered and placed in the oven to cook low and slow. After a few hours, the result is tender meat and flavorful drippings that can be reduced or thickened with a little cornstarch into a gravy.
One example of a braised beef recipe involves browning beef chunks in hot olive oil, then covering them in spices, garlic, sautéed onion, and braising in red wine. This recipe goes well with creamy mashed potatoes and is a great main dish for a Christmas or New Years dinner. Another recipe involves searing a chuck roast and then slow cooking it with onions, carrots, celery, and fresh herbs in red wine and beef broth. The end result is fork-tender flavorful beef and vegetables that can be served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.
In summary, braised beef is a delicious and flavorful way to cook tough cuts of meat, resulting in tender and juicy meat that can be served with a variety of sides.