Braised Beef Cheeks with Pear and Bitter Chocolate Sauce

Slow cooked beef cheeks paired with a savory bitter chocolate sauce, butter-fried pears, and a silky white bean purée.

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving Total
Calories 780.1 kcals 3120.4 kcals
Carbohydrates 41.3 grams 165.2 grams
Fat 52.6 grams 210.5 grams
Protein 35.7 grams 142.8 grams
Cook Time
240 mins
Produces
4 people
Allergies
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten Free

Ingredients

BakingIngredients
60
g
Chocolate
70% cocoa solids broken into squares
Dairy
10
g
Butter
small knob for pureé
200
ml
Double Cream
heated to a boil
50
g
Fruits
2
piece
Pears
peeled, cored, and cubed
2
tbsp
1
piece
Orange
juice and zest
LegumesPulses
85
g
Liquids
125
ml
Meat
2
piece
Beef Cheeks
trimmed and cut into 4 equal-sized pieces
NutsSeeds
2
piece
1
sprig
1
tsp
Sea Salt
for pureé seasoning
1
tsp
Sea Salt
to season beef
1
piece
Garlic
clove sliced
1
tbsp
Black Pepper
cracked
OilsFats
1
tbsp
Oil
for frying
Vegetables
1
piece
Onion
sliced
16
piece

Steps

  • Soak beans in water overnight and drain.
  • Simmer beans in water with bay leaves and rosemary until cooked.
  • Drain beans, reserve cooking liquid, and remove herbs.
  • Blend beans with salt, butter, and cream, adding reserved liquid to reach a silky consistency.
  • Peel and cube pears, reserving skins and soaking cubes in lemon water.
  • Preheat oven to 180°C.
  • Season beef cheeks and brown in oil in an ovenproof pan.
  • Remove meat to brown onions and garlic in the same pan.
  • Return meat to pan and deglaze with port and orange juice.
  • Reduce liquid to a syrup, then add stock, pepper, zest, and pear skins.
  • Cover and cook in the oven for three hours until tender.
  • Cook button onions and pear cubes separately in butter.
  • Strain the beef cooking liquid into a clean pan once finished.
  • Reduce liquid to a syrup and whisk in butter and chocolate.
  • Serve beef with purée, pears, onions, and chocolate sauce.