This is an amazing, slow cooked, fall apart, melt in your mouth...savory stew!!! I made this the other day and wow....such a warm, comforting and "I Love Sundays" hang out on the couch all day kind of meal!! Yes, there is some time and work you have to put into making this, but believe me, it is nothing you can't do and the outcome......CRAZY GOOD!!!! You gotta try this. And the best part is the leftovers, so make a lot and tomorrow I will show you how to eat it again!! So make this on a Sunday but save the leftovers for a quick but amazing meal during the week!!!
SAVORY BEEF STEW
3 LBS BEEF CHUCK CUBES FOR STEW 2 CUPS DICED CARROTS 2 CUPS DICED CELERY 2 CUPS DICED ONION 5 CLOVES OF GARLIC MINCED 2 CUPS RED WINE 4 CUPS BEEF BROTH 1 6 OZ CAN TOMATO PASTE 2 0R 3 POTATOES CUBED 2 TSP CINNAMON 2 TSP CUMIN SALT & PEPPER OLIVE OIL FLOUR FRESH PARSLEY
I prefer to use my dutch oven for these slow cooking recipes, but if you do not have one just use a large stock pot.
Start out with about 3 lbs of cubed chuck stew meat. Season it all well with salt & pepper.
Heat a nice coating of olive oil in you pot. Dredge the beef cubes through the flour to cover lightly shaking off excess. The use of the flour here will thicken your sauce as it comes together later. Work in batches so not to over crowd the pot and brown cubes on all sides. You will need to add oil frequently as you work to the pan to keep it all moist. Place on a plate when done and keep working until are browned nicely.
Looking good already!!! Now, leaving all the great brown bits of flavor in the bottom of your pot, add all of the chopped carrots, celery and onions to the pot. Of course, again, season all well with salt & pepper. Always season each layer!! Give it all a 10 minute head start and then add the minced garlic.... As you can see in the picture, I used some red onion, but only because I only had one very small yellow onion in my house...either one is perfect!! Last, add in the cinnamon and cumin.
Continue to cook all that until soft and tender.
Now your are ready for the Red Wine!! Yes....kick the heat up a bit to a nice medium/high heat and add the wine to deglaze that pan. This works so well to combine all the flavors that are in that pan. Simmer until reduced!! It should be starting to smell real good in your house by now!!!
Next add the broth and the tomato paste to the pot and mix well. Then just add the meat back in as well as the cubed potatoes a small handful of fresh chopped parsley....
All you need to do now is sit back, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 2 hours!! After two hours you may need to skim the fat that may have collected on top with a large spoon. Turn off the heat and uncover. Allow it to sit and cool for about 30 minutes. It will thicken as it rests also.
Now you are ready to snuggle up on the couch with a nice big bowl of this!! Top it with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley. Doesn't hurt to have a nice crusty loaf of bread on hand......just an idea. Or you can put it over rice, a nice egg noodle....whichever you prefer!!!