Beef Bourguignon Pot Pies with Flaky Crust

Prepare the Beef Bourguignon

1. 1Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
2. 2In a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of rendered fat in the pot.
3. 3Add olive oil to the pot if needed. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.
4. 4Add carrots and pearl onions to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook for another minute until fragrant.
5. 5Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
6. 6Gradually pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to allow alcohol to burn off.
7. 7Return the beef to the pot. Add beef broth, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and transfer to a preheated oven at 160°C (325°F). Braise for 2 hours.
8. 8After 2 hours, add the mushrooms and the cooked bacon back to the pot. Stir well. Continue to braise, covered, for another 1 hour, or until the beef is fork-tender.
9. 9Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Assemble and Bake the Pot Pies

1. 1Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease four individual oven-safe ramekins or pot pie dishes.
2. 2Divide the beef bourguignon stew evenly among the ramekins.
3. 3Unroll the puff pastry sheets. Using a knife or cookie cutter, cut out four circles slightly larger than the tops of your ramekins. You can use scraps to decorate if desired.
4. 4Place a puff pastry circle over each ramekin, gently pressing the edges to seal. Brush the tops of the pastry with the beaten egg wash.
5. 5Cut a small slit in the center of each pastry lid to allow steam to escape.
6. 6Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.