Beef and Vegetable Daube with Celery Root Puree

• MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

1. 2 cups red Meritage (a Bordeaux-style blend)
2. 1 3/4 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
3. 2 garlic cloves, smashed
4. 3 large carrots, 1 thinly sliced and 2 cut into 1/2-inch pieces
5. 2 shallots, thinly sliced
6. 2 thyme sprigs
7. 2 bay leaves
8. Freshly ground pepper
9. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
10. Salt
11. 2 celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
12. 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
13. 1 large onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
14. 1 teaspoon drained green peppercorns in brine
15. 1 rosemary sprig
16. 4 plum tomatoes?peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
17. 4 cups rich veal stock or 2 cups veal demiglace mixed with 2 cups water
18. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, slightly softened
19. 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
20. Celery Root Puree

1. In a sturdy, large resealable plastic bag, combine 1 cup of the wine with the meat, garlic, sliced carrot, shallots, thyme, bay leaves and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Seal the bag, pressing out any air and refrigerate overnight.
2. Drain the meat and pat dry with paper towels; reserve the thyme and bay leaves. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the oil until shimmering. Season the meat with salt and pepper. Add half of the meat to the casserole and cook over moderately high heat until browned all over, about 10 minutes; reduce the heat to moderate if the meat starts to brown too quickly. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a plate and brown the remaining beef.
3. Return the first batch of meat to the casserole. Add the carrot chunks, celery, parsnips, onion, green peppercorns, rosemary and the reserved thyme and bay leaves. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are barely softened, 7 minutes. Add the remaining 1 cup of wine and cook until reduced to about 1/3 cup, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and veal stock and season with salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Cover the daube and simmer over low heat until the meat is tender, about 2 hours.
4. Strain the daube in a colander set over a heatproof bowl; discard the thyme, rosemary and bay leaves. Return the braising liquid to the casserole and simmer over moderate heat until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix the butter with the flour until a paste forms. Whisk the paste into the simmering braising liquid and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Return the meat and vegetables to the casserole, season with salt and pepper and cook until heated through. Spoon the Celery Root Puree into deep bowls. Ladle the beef on top and serve.