Braised Beef Tips

2 lbs sirloin tips
2 tbsp oil
1 can beef broth
1/3 cup dry red wine
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 garlic clove, sliced
1 shallot, sliced into thick chunks
2 large portobello mushrooms, diced
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup water

Cut beef into 1-inch cubes. In a large skillet, brown the tips on all sides, working in batches until all the meat has been used. Brown the mushrooms in the pan drippings. Return the meat to the pan, and add the broth, wine, soy sauce, garlic and shallot - being sure to scrape up any bits on the bottom of the pan. Cover & reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 1 hour or until meat is tender.
Blend cornstarch with the water and stir into meat mixture until desired thickness. Bring back to a boil for 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup of frozen peas at this point, if you wish, to add some color and texture.
Serve immediately over egg noodles or rice.

*This is a great dish that sounds, looks, and tastes fancy and difficult, but it is so, so easy. The meat comes out nice and tender, and the flavors are out of this world. I like to leave the garlic and shallot in bigger chunks so that you don't actually have to eat them once the dish is finished, but you get the nice garlic and onion flavor coming through. Remember the rule of thumb when cooking with wine: Never cook with a wine you wouldn't drink. Have a glass of whatever red wine you used in this dish with dinner! Enjoy!

He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth -- the Lord God Almighty is his name. Amos 4: 13