Hearty Beef Stew

May 9, 2010 / By Foodland

Hearty Beef Stew

Savory, warm, and oh so comforting
Course Soup
Cuisine Beef
Servings 6 Servings

Ingredients  

  • 3 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2" cubes
  • 1.5 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup bacon, sliced into 1/2" pieces
  • 2 medium-large onions, chopped (2 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons All Purpose Flour
  • 1 cup full-bodied red wine
  • 2 cups homemade chicken broth or low-sodium canned broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4" thick or 1/2 lb. baby carrots
  • 1 cup celery, sliced
  • 5 red bliss potatoes, washed and cut into quarters

Instructions 

  1. Place meat in a large bowl.
  2. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper; toss to coat.
  3. Heat 2 tbsp. oil over medium-high heat in a large non-reactive soup kettle; add meat to pan in two batches.
  4. Brown meat on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch, adding an additional 1 tbsp. oil if necessary.
  5. Transfer meat to a platter.
  6. Add bacon to pot and let it cook for 4 minutes, add onions to pot; sauté‚ until almost softened, 4-5 minutes.
  7. Add in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
  8. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic; continue to sauté‚ for about 30 seconds.
  9. Stir in flour and cook until lightly browned, 1-2 minutes.
  10. Stir in wine, scraping up any browned bits that may have stuck to pan.
  11. Reduce the wine by half.
  12. Add chicken broth, bay leaves; bring to simmer.
  13. Add meat and return to a simmer.
  14. Simmer until meat is just tender, 2 1/2-3 hours.
  15. The stew should be covered and barely any bubbling.
  16. At approximately 15 minutes before the stew is done, add carrots, celery and potatoes to simmering stew.
  17. Once vegetables are added turn off heat, cover and let stand to blend flavors, about 5 minutes (stew can be cooled at this point, covered and refrigerated up to 3 days).
  18. Note: This recipe can be made without the wine, substitute with additional chicken stock.
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