Beef Stew

Beef stew is a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for chilly days or when you’re looking for a filling and delicious meal. Here’s a classic beef stew recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (about 900 grams) stewing beef (such as chuck or round), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional, can substitute with additional beef broth)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2-3 sprigs of fresh thyme)
• 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening, optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add the bite-sized pieces of beef to the pot. Brown the meat on all sides to develop flavor, about 5-7 minutes.
5. If you want to thicken the stew, sprinkle the flour over the browned meat and stir well to coat.
6. Pour in the beef broth and red wine (if using), stirring to combine. Add the bay leaves and thyme to the pot. Season with salt and pepper.
7. 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 becomes tender. Stir occasionally.
8. After the beef has simmered and become tender, add the carrots, potatoes, and celery to the pot. Continue to simmer for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through and the stew has thickened. If you didn’t use flour earlier and want a thicker stew, you can mix a few tablespoons of cold water with flour to make a paste and gradually stir it into the stew until it thickens to your liking.
9. In the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the frozen peas (if using). They only need to cook until heated through.
10. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving.
11. Serve your delicious beef stew hot, either on its own or with a side of crusty bread or biscuits.

Beef stew is a versatile dish, and you can customize it by adding other vegetables like mushrooms or green beans, or by adjusting the seasonings to your preference. Enjoy your comforting bowl of beef stew!