Merlot Beef Ragout (Crockpot)

[kyosa]

This recipe is for a small (1 1/2 to 3 qt.) crockpot:

Merlot Beef Ragout

1 ¾ lb. lean beef stew meat, cut into cubes

1 tsp salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

3 Tbsp olive oil

2 medium-sized onions, chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained

1 c. dry red wine, such as Merlot


Sprinkle beef cubes with salt & pepper. Brown half the beef on all sides in the hot olive oil, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to the slow-cooker. Repeat process with the other half of the beef.

Add the onions to the skillet and brown slightly. Add the garlic and cook for just 15 seconds or so longer. Add the onions and garlic to the cooker.

Pour the drained tomatoes and the red wine into the skillet and raise the heat to high. Stir constantly as the tomato-wine mix comes to a boil, scraping up the bits from the skillet bottom. Pour into the crock, cover, and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours.

During the last 45 minutes of cooking, check the consistency. If the juices seem too thin, increase the heat to HIGH and leave the cover off, letting some moisture evaporate. Serve hot.

Serves 2 with leftovers

[Kathy]

Darryl, Have you ever doubled the recipe? I only have a 6 qt and 7 qt crock pots.

I'd love to make it and freeze the extra for those busy nights.
I love cooking with wine even though I'm not a wine drinker.

[kyosa]

admin said:

Darryl, Have you ever doubled the recipe? I only have a 6 qt and 7 qt crock pots.

I'd love to make it and freeze the extra for those busy nights.
I love cooking with wine even though I'm not a wine drinker.

Hi Kathy! I've never doubled the recipe, but I don't think there's any reason it couldn't be done. I recently got this 3 quart oval-shaped cooker and WW brought a cookbook called 'Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Recipes For Two' home from the library where she works part-time. I had pretty much quit using our old cooker after the kids had all left and saw the small ones and decided to give one a try. We really like it so far.