A simple story for a French boeuf aux carottes
When I was a young girl growing up in France, Sundays were often the days when my mother cooked a boeuf aux carottes (beef stew with carrots) during the winter. She’d start cooking hers early in the morning, leaving it to simmer on the stove for a few hours. The aromas of onion, sauteed meat, wine and spices made the house smell like lazy mornings and Sundays and hachis parmentier. Oh yes! She’d always make sure to prepare a large pot of stew so that she could use what was left the next day, to prepare stuffed squashes or hachis parmentier.
That thought inspired these two recipes (check the boeuf aux carottes recipe here, and the winter squashes here), which I wrote for Sunday Supper, the new food column in the Boston Globe.
I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as we did. They’re lovely meal ideas of honest traditional French food.
What my mother knows how to make so well.
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Mmmm, a family favourite, we could never get enough carrots!
Comment by Nathalie (Spacedlaw) — On December, 16th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Sounds so good! I have to admit, I haven’t been doing much inspired cooking these days – baking for so many people. I always like to hear, see what your doing in the kitchen. Thanks so much for the wonderful ideas.
Comment by valérie-jeanne — On December, 16th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I never thought to use leftover stew like that! Even a frugal Ukrainian like me generally just reheats the stew.
Comment by Cheryl Arkison — On December, 16th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Mmmm, I love beef stew with carrots. Your recipe looks divine with the white wine a thyme. I have to give it a try! And it finally started to snow even here in London, so this is exactly the type of hearty meal for this weather.
Comment by Sarka — On December, 16th, 2009 at 11:29 am
OH what a great idea for leftover stew! I love squash but I’ve never tried stuffing them. I MUST try very soon (today it’s cold and snowing in Toronto).
Comment by Sar — On December, 16th, 2009 at 11:43 am
I can’t begin to tell you how much I adore your blog. I find it incredibly inspiring and love that I am able to practice my french as well!
xx
Comment by kimberly taylor — On December, 16th, 2009 at 11:51 am
If only I liked cooked veggies, I would have tried that… but alas no. Oh well, it’s still an amazingly simple idea but one had to think of it!
Comment by Gali — On December, 16th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Oh! Your post just brought me back to my Sunday family lunches… Because of deep roots in Burgundy, I grew up with Boeuf Bourguignon smell around the house…. close enough! Merci pour la recette et les bons souvenirs!
Comment by Gaelle@whatareyoufeedingyourkidsthesedays.com — On December, 16th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
What a wonderful two photographs. Like the way you have used the natural lights and stuffed squash also looks good!
In the first photograph, love how you have composed the first photograph. Partial inclusion is a great way.
Comment by Neel | Learn Food Photogaphy — On December, 16th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
C’est exactement le genre de plat qu’il faut, avec le froid qu’il y a ici!!
Comment by kouka — On December, 16th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
mmm that looks gorgeous, my mother is irish and for us it has always been beef stew with lots of carrots and as a difference the meat is sauted with a very slight coat of flour to make the sauce dark and thik, i some times fry the onions, and instead of wine it was Guinness. But of the main ingredient our mothers love was the same.
Comment by gasparini — On December, 16th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
the bef stew looks like comfort food to me..
Comment by peachkins — On December, 16th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Gorgeous pictures and lovely recipes!
Comment by El — On December, 16th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
love bea~
love your food~
Comment by YOYO love cooking — On December, 16th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Oh it just looks so divine, it sure does. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Comment by so Spiffy — On December, 16th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Boeuf aux Carottes is one of my favorite French Sunday meals. Love the use of leftovers in squash. Brilliant idea!
Comment by Loulou — On December, 17th, 2009 at 5:18 am
I know exactly the scent you’re describing…love love love!
Comment by sarah — On December, 17th, 2009 at 9:39 am
New Orleans does not have the degree of cold weather that you and some of your readers are experiencing, but we have recently had a lot of dreary, rainy days with no sunshine. Today is one of those days. That beef stew recipe will be perfect! Looking forward to your cookbook!!
Comment by Del Lancaster — On December, 17th, 2009 at 10:14 am
very homely, esp that beef stew. perfect stuff for the cold weather.
we don’t have squash here, so a capsicum/tomato might do the trick.
Comment by J2Kfm — On December, 17th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Gorgeous pictures. I love stews! They are such an easy-to-make dish for cold winter days and taste fantastic.
Comment by Sini — On December, 17th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
C’est vrai qu’un bon boeuf aux carottes a de quoi réchauffer la maison et tous les coeurs.
Comment by Miss Diane — On December, 17th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
This really makes me miss fresh thyme from the garden.
Comment by Tracy (Amuse-bouche for Two) — On December, 18th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Sounds and looks like such a hearty meal – yum!
Comment by Mowie @ Mowielicious — On December, 18th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Bea, I don’t know how you do it, your pictures are always soooooooo perfect 10, I don’t eat beef but you had me at the first shot.
Comment by Rasa Malaysia — On December, 18th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Une invitation délicieuse au ragoût de boeuf et carottes. Superbes photos !
Comment by Isabelle — On December, 19th, 2009 at 3:38 am
Sunday lunches are also my most favorite time of the week when I was young. My relatives would come over and we would have a great lunch! I miss those times.
Comment by cabin designs — On December, 19th, 2009 at 4:14 am
It’s look so good!
Comment by choco_lemon — On December, 19th, 2009 at 11:34 am
oh that squash looks divine. i have never stuffed squash with beef like this before, and i will be sure to give this technique a try. thanks for the inspiration! oh, im hungry now just thinking of it.
Comment by elizabeth — On December, 21st, 2009 at 10:57 am
Sundays for me mean family and food as well — it is very much indeed a tradition; a day of unwinding, sharing time with family over a warm, comforting meal.
Comment by Maria — On December, 23rd, 2009 at 8:52 am
Delicious looking stew, Bea. I’m thinking of making it a beef and potato stew..
Comment by The Purple Foodie — On December, 27th, 2009 at 2:40 am
thanks for these wonderful recipes! I’ll give these a try!
Comment by Leslie — On January, 7th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I made this delightful recipe a few days ago, and am finishing off the last of the stew right now. Absolutely delicious. I used beef shank, and included the bones. The marrow gave the broth a certain something. Thank you for your amazing recipes and gorgeous photos.
Comment by TummyIsADiva — On January, 26th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Thank you everyone! Always love to read your notes.
TummyIsADiva, so happy to hear. Thanks for the feedback!
Comment by Béa — On January, 26th, 2010 at 9:39 pm