Beef bourguignon facts for kids
A dish of bœuf bourguignon
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| Alternative names | Beef Burgundy, bœuf à la bourguignonne |
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| Type | Stew |
| Place of origin | France |
| Region or state | Burgundy |
| Main ingredients | Beef, red wine (often red Burgundy), beef stock, lardons, onions, bouquet garni, pearl onions, mushrooms |
Beef bourguignon (also called beef Burgundy or bœuf à la Bourguignonne) is a famous and tasty French beef stew. It's made by slowly cooking beef in red wine, usually a red Burgundy wine, along with beef stock. Chefs often add carrots, onions, garlic, and a special bunch of herbs called a bouquet garni. To make it even better, it's usually served with small pearl onions, mushrooms, and bacon.
The name "bourguignon" probably comes from the type of wine used, which is from the Burgundy region of France. It's not necessarily a recipe that started in Burgundy itself.
A Look at Its History
This dish is often thought of as a very old French tradition. However, the first time it was written down in a recipe book was in 1867. So, it might not be as ancient as some people think! In the 1800s, beef bourguignon wasn't super popular. This might be because it was sometimes made with leftover cooked meat.
Over time, this delicious stew became a classic in French cooking. You can find it in many bistros (small French restaurants), especially in Paris. It only started to be seen as a special dish from the Burgundy region in the 1900s. The famous chef Julia Child once said it was "certainly one of the most delicious beef dishes concocted by man."
How to Enjoy It
Beef bourguignon is usually served with simple side dishes. The most common choices are boiled potatoes or pasta. These sides help soak up the rich, flavorful sauce.
What's in a Name?
In cooking, the word "bourguignon" is used for different dishes. It often means the dish is made with wine, or with a special garnish of mushrooms and onions. This use of the word started around the mid-1800s.
You might hear the dish called bourguignon or à la bourguignonne in both French and English. In French, the most common name is bœuf bourguignon.
Images for kids
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A dish of bœuf bourguignon
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Beef bourguignon
