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1
Buy about 2 pounds of beef from the flatiron part of the shoulder, and remove the skin or sinew from the top.
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2
This is about half of a whole flatiron, depending on the size.
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3
Alternatively, use lean beef chuck in the same manner.
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4
Cut it into 8 pieces.
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5
Preheat the oven to 350F.
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6
Melt the butter and olive oil in a nice cast-iron pan attractive enough for the table.
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7
Arrange the pieces in one layer in the skillet, and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
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8
Cook on top of the stove over medium-high heat for about 8 minutes, browning the meat on all sides.
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9
Add the onion and the garlic.
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10
Cook for another 2 minutes, stir to mix, and add the flour.
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11
Mix in well, so the flour doesnt form lumps, and stir in the red wine.
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12
Add the bay leaves, the thyme, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil, Stir well and cover, remove from heat.
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13
Place in the oven and cook for about 1 1/2 hours.
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14
The meat should be soft and tender and the liquid properly reduced.
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15
The recipe can be prepared to this point up to a day ahead and the garnish added at the last moment.
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16
For the lardons, bring the pancetta and 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan, cook for about 30 minutes, until practically cooked.
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17
Remove, and when cool enough to handle, cut the pancetta into 1/2-inch slices and then cut the slices into 1-inch-wide lardons.
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18
You should have about 1 cup.
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19
Combine the lardons, carrots, mushrooms, and onions in a skillet with the olive oil, 1/4 cup of water, a good dash each of sugar, salt, and pepper.
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20
Bring to a boil, and cook, covered, for about 5 minutes.
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21
At this point, there should be practically no water left.
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22
Uncover, and continue cooking over high heat, sauteing until the vegetables are nicely browned on all sides, about 4 minutes.
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23
When ready to serve the stew (directly from the pot, or on a large platter), mix some of the vegetables into the stew and sprinkle the remainder on top as a garnish.
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24
Add a little fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
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25
Enjoy the stew with glasses of the same wine you used in cooking this dish.
