Beef Stroganoff

I've been using this recipe for over 20 years, but had gotten away from it in recent years.  Going to Moscow On The Hill inspired me to tattle - with great success!  Make as much of the sauce as you like, for it can be used on mashed potatoes, and over any type of beef to add tingle.  Adjust it according to your likes ... use an onion instead of shallots, use sour cream in place of whipping cream.  Many times I have tripled the sauce, and have never regretted it!                                                                                    

Many variations are out there, and it's fun to play around with flavors.  Use chicken instead of beef, use rice instead of noodles, throw in some corn and delight the kids!  It can also be used as a crepe filling.  Explore, it's the fun in cooking and it's what makes it "your own."

Centuries ago cooks threw in bay leaves, bacon, lemon juice, vinegar, mace, ginger, and saffron.  Apparently the mushrooms are not authentic, but I can't do without!  The Russians usually serve this with Julienne Potatoes instead of noodles.  So, if you're feeling a little "Russian,"  pull out the spuds!  Remember, spuds are sexy.











Ingredients:

2 lbs beef tenderloin cut into strips. (can use round steak, or even roast.)
2 Tbs olive oil

2 Tbs butter
1/2 cup chopped shallots
1 cup consomme, or beef broth
1 lb small button mushrooms - thickly sliced
2 Tbs cognac
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup sour cream
1 Tbs Dijon mustard

1 Tbs fresh chopped Dill                                                                  

12 oz wide egg noodles
1 Tbs paprika


Preparation:

Season meat with salt and pepper,  brown in oil on high heat approximately 2-3 minutes.

Melt 2 Tbs butter and saute shallots about 2 minutes.

Add mushrooms, season with pepper, continue to saute.

Add consomme and cognac.

Simmer until liquid thickens and just coats mushrooms, about 14 minutes.

Stir in whipping cream, sour cream, and mustard.

Add meat and simmer over medium-low heat until heated through.

Stir in chopped dill and season with salt and pepper to taste.


Cook noodles and toss with 1 Tbsp butter.

Distribute noodles on plates, top with meat sauce and sprinkle generously with paprika.

Pairings:

Merlot

Bordeaux

Malbec

Pinot Noir

Naughties

                                                                     

Just don't.

                                                                    Not here, not now.

Do this, don't talk to me.

                                                                           Don't even.

        

Walk away now.

                                                        You'll be on the street by midnight.



There was a woman feeling hungry,
And needing something filling,
So she went into a restaurant,
That everyone gave top billing.


She asked for a recommendation,
The waiter gave a gentle cough,
'We will give you the speciality,
Our famous beef stroganoff.'

                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                    Без перевода!

Moscow On The Hill

                                                                             

I put on my taupe sweater with matching pumps and headed to Moscow.  Along with twenty-two others that were looking for some Russian delight in their evening, we managed to share each other's Borscht Soup (served authentically hot with a dollop of sour cream and dill) - Pelmenis (filled, hand-made dumplings), Cabbage Rolls, and the best dog-gone Beef Stroganoff I ever laid my lips on.  No kidding.  There was one problem though - The company was so fine, I talked more than I ate, and before I knew it I looked up to see everyone's plates were gone and mine was still  in front of me mostly filled.  Needless to say my daughter, Hannah, appreciated the leftovers with me the next day.

Moscow on the Hill is also a Vodka Lounge.  Russians do not consider their meal complete without vodka, and neither did we.  It not only thaws you, but also breaks the social ice!  This is home of the first and only  horseradish infused vodka - family created, and could quite possibly create families!  I started the evening with a pear infused champagne that delighted my senses and woke my pours from a hard-day's work.  My friend, Milind, knowing I love all things coffee, encouraged me to sample his coffee martini.  My oh my, he had to beg it back, so I had to order my own.  Since I recently learned how to infuse vodka, this will definitely be my next exploration.

                                                                                                         
Moscow On The Hill has a wonderful happy hour, they offer catering, Banquets, take out, and patio dining.  The menu is rich with favorite Russian delicacies.  Some have a noticeable French, Mediterranean, and far-Eastern influence.  They have won over eleven awards.  They also won twenty-three thumbs up on this particular night.

                                                                       

                                As you can see by all the spoons, dessert was shared as well.

                                                 371 Selby Avenue, St. Paul, MN  55102

Following dinner, a small group slipped away to the cellar of  W.A. Frost, across the street.  But that's another story, for another day.

                                                                                Na Zdorovie!