Instructions

  1. Season beef with kosher salt, black pepper and garlic powder.
  2. Dust beef with about 1/3 cup flour and toss lightly.
  3. Spray a cast iron Dutch oven with cooking spray.
  4. Heat 4 tablespoons of bacon grease and 4 tablespoons of cooking oil (you may use all bacon grease, all solid shortening, or all cooking oil if desired).
  5. Brown meat in hot fat and remove to a large bowl using a slotted spoon.
  6. Leaving fat in Dutch oven, saute bell pepper, onions, celery, and garlic. Brown vegetables and remove to bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving fat in the pot.
  7. Add or take away to total 3 tablespoons of fat to make your roux.
  8. To make roux, add about 1/4 cup of flour, stirring constantly and slowly until flour is a nice deep brown, being careful not to burn the flour.
  9. Slowly add 4 cups of beef broth or water and stir. Bring to a simmer and add back beef and vegetables.
  10. Add bay leaves, thyme, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, dried basil and stir.
  11. Add fresh tomatoes and 1 can extra hot tomatoes.
  12. Simmer for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  13. Just before serving, remove bay leaves and stir in 1/2 cup chopped parsley.
  14. Serve over your favorite hot buttered grits.