Beef Bourguignon – Recreating a Chef Mickey’s Favorite at Home!

Certain foods instantly recall pleasant experiences in our lives. Maybe a cheesy lasagna brings to mind a milestone birthday or a homemade biscuit sitting warmly in an iron skillet reminds you of breakfast at your grandmother’s house. There are many foods that we associate with happy memories, and Walt Disney World has an abundance of them!

When our youngest son, Eli, turned two, we celebrated his birthday with Mickey Mouse and all his friends at Chef Mickey’s. The constant parade of characters to our table made it a busy meal, but it was so much fun! We ordered Disney-themed goody bags for the birthday boy and his brother and cousin. A special cake in a pirate’s chest was also delivered with a birthday song to our table. The chest and flag that came with the cake are still in our son’s room today.

Before our meal, we had a photo taken of our family, and a cast member brought the picture to our table in a wonderful Chef Mickey’s photo display folder, which included three recipes from the restaurant. Over the years, we have cooked these recipes again and again and remembered Eli’s special birthday party at Walt Disney World.

Here is my favorite of the three – Beef Bourguignon. You can make it at home and pretend you are at Chef Mickey’s for a special occasion! The recipe makes six servings, and pairs well with mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds beef tips cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 ½ cups diced Spanish onion
  • 1 cup quartered fresh crimini mushrooms
  • 1 cup quartered fresh button mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 ½ cups Burgundy wine
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium/high heat. Sear the beef tips well on all sides, cooking for 5 – 8 minutes or until brown.
  2. Add onions, mushrooms, flour, and tomato paste to beef. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 5 – 6 minutes or until tender.
  3. Add wine to deglaze; stir well making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan.
  4. Add salt, pepper, bay leaves, and beef broth to the pan and mix well.
  5. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low; simmer for approximately 45 minutes. Stir occasionally as needed.
  6. Remove pan from heat and add butter; stir thoroughly and serve.

Do you have a favorite Disney recipe?