Veal Stroganoff

This recipe comes from Russia, although the exact origin is controversial. Some say that it was invented by the French chef of the Russian count Pavel Stroganoff, but it is an unconfirmed fact.

To make a beef stroganoff, you need veal (tenderloin), onion, mushrooms and sour cream. Then I explain how to get sour cream.

INGREDIENTS (4/6 serving):

• 1 Kg (2.2 libras) of beef tenderloin
• Half a kilo (1.1 pounds) of mushrooms
• Half a kilo (1.1 pounds) of onions
• 100 grams (3.5 oz) of sour cream
• A quarter cup (50ml) of vodka
• 2 butter spoons
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• White wheat flour
• Parsley
• Extra virgin olive oil*
• Salt
• Pepper

* or use any other of sunflower, corn, canola etc, is not critical

First, the onion is cut into julienne strips, the mushrooms and the meat into strips, about five centimeters long (2 inches) and a finger wide, more or less

In a frying pan with a tablespoon of melted butter, we sauté the onion and when transparent we add the mushrooms, two tablespoons of chopped parsley and when the mushrooms are done we salt and pepper.

While the sauce is being made, flour the veal fillets (one finger wide and about two inches long, remember) and put them in a frying pan with a generous drizzle of oil and another tablespoon of butter. We pour the vodka and let it reduce by half. Season with salt and pepper.

When the vodka has reduced to half we add the onion and mushroom sauce. Then we add the sour cream and the tomato concentrate. We stir for a few minutes over medium heat until all the ingredients are mixed and ready to serve, usually accompanied by boiled rice. In some recipes the amount of mushrooms and onion is reduced so that the ratio with the meat is 2 to 1 (twice as much meat as the sum of onion and mushroom) and a couple of tablespoons of French mustard is also added.

To get sour cream we need normal heavy cooking cream. We add a good jet of lemon juice (the one that falls when squeezing half of it) and in a quarter of an hour it will sour. They also sell it already made but sometimes it is difficult to find it. In Russia, without this sour cream, cooking would not be understood.

Beef stroganoff is a strong recipe, so it's for people who like flavors of impact.