a recipe for a comforting and hearty Beef Stew
Ingredients:
1.5 pounds (680g) stew beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen corn
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Coat the Beef:
In a large bowl, season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the beef and toss to coat evenly.
Sear the Beef:
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown them on all sides. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Once browned, remove the beef and set it aside.
Sauté the aromatics:
In the same pot, add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Add the Liquid and Herbs:
Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth, add the bay leaves, and sprinkle in the dried thyme. Stir to combine.
Simmer:
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and can easily be pierced with a fork.
Add Vegetables:
Add the sliced carrots, diced potatoes, and sliced celery to the pot. Continue to simmer, covered, for an additional 20-30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
Add Frozen Vegetables:
Stir in the frozen peas and corn and simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes until they are heated through.
Adjust Seasoning:
Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaves.
Serve:
Ladle the hot beef stew into bowls, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve with crusty bread or dinner rolls.
Enjoy your homemade Beef Stew! It's a comforting and filling meal, perfect for chilly days.