Ingredients:
For the Filling:
- 1 lb beef stew meat, cubed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
For the Crust:
- 1 sheet store-bought puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (optional, for topping)
Directions:
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare the Beef:
- Season the beef stew meat with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned beef cubes and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
Caramelize the Onions:
- In the same skillet, add the thinly sliced onions and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are caramelized and golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.
Make the Sauce:
- Sprinkle the caramelized onions with flour and stir to coat evenly. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to cook off the raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in the beef broth and red wine (if using), stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
Combine the Beef and Sauce:
- Return the cooked beef cubes to the skillet, stirring to coat them in the onion gravy. Remove the bay leaf and discard.
Prepare the Crust:
- Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut the pastry into circles or squares large enough to cover your individual serving dishes or one large pie dish.
Assemble the Potpies:
- Divide the beefy onion filling evenly among individual oven-safe dishes or spoon it into one large pie dish.
- Place the pastry circles or squares over the top of each dish, pressing down lightly around the edges to seal. Brush the pastry with beaten egg wash for a golden finish.
Bake the Potpies:
- Place the assembled potpies on a baking sheet and transfer them to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown.
Serve:
- Remove the Beefy French Onion Potpies from the oven. If desired, sprinkle shredded Gruyere cheese over the top of each potpie and return them to the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Allow the potpies to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the comforting flavors of this beefy French onion dish!