Oct 2, 2007
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James Beard's Beef Stroganoff

One of many timeless recipes featured in American Food Writing is James Beard's take on this comforting noodle dish. "There are many different versions," the chef writes in The James Beard Cookbook (Dell Publishing, 1959), the book from which the excerpt is taken. "Beware of those that specify long cooking. Beef stroganoff is much better when prepared quickly."
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1 1⁄2 lbs. filet of beef
6 tbsp. butter
Olive oil
2 tbsp. chopped green onions, white and
   green parts
1⁄4 cup white wine or vermouth
A.1. sauce or worcestershire sauce
1 1⁄2 cups sour cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Chopped parsley
Cooked egg noodles

1. Cut the beef into very thin slices, or, as Beard recommends, ask your butcher to do it for you.

2. Melt 4 tbsp. of butter in the pan and get it as hot as you can without burning; if you add just a bit of olive oil to the butter it helps prevent it from turning brown. Sauté the beef slices in the hot fat very quickly. When they are delicately browned on both sides and done (this takes only a minute or two), remove them to a hot platter. Add remaining butter and the chopped green onions and cook for a minute. Then add white wine or vermouth and a dash or two of A.1. sauce or worcestershire sauce and the sour cream. Stir well and heat through, but do not boil, or the sour cream will curdle. Salt to taste and pour the sauce over the beef. Top with a sprinkling of freshly ground pepper and chopped parsley. Serve atop egg noodles.


SERVES 6 – 8

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #106

Ratings & Reviews (3)

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very subtle flavors. not bad by any stretch, but not as robust as i like my stroganoff. lacked texture and "beefy" flavors.
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very subtle flavors. not bad by any stretch, but not as robust as i like my stroganoff. lacked texture and "beefy" flavors.

noAvatar
Add 1-2 tbl chili sauce and it hits the spot. I add sliced mushrooms for another texture. Understand this great chef (an inspiration to J. Child)was coming from the 40's and 50's. His simplicity of his meals were wonderful, easy to prepare, and formed the basis of so much "chatter" of recipes today. Try reading one of his books. Chowder, bloody Marys, the like -- this guy had a great time with food and life.
James Beard's Beef Stroganoff 4 5 2 3

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