Beef Stew With Fluffy Pita Recipes

WHOLE WHEAT PITA

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix together the water, sugar and yeast. Let it sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• With the mixer running on low speed, add the oil and salt, and then gradually add the bread and whole-wheat flours. Increase the speed to medium high and mix for 7 to 10 minutes, adding just enough additional bread flour so that the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Do not add too much flour; the dough should be smooth and slightly sticky. Lightly coat a clean large bowl with oil or cooking spray and place the dough in the bowl, turning it once or twice to coat it in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature until it has doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Mold each piece into a ball by stretching the top and tucking the edges under. Place the balls 1 inch apart on a piece of parchment paper, cover them with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Lightly dust a work surface with flour. With a rolling pin, roll out the balls of dough into 1/4-inch-thick circles. Place them on the lined baking sheets and bake until cooked through and puffy, about 5 minutes. You do not want them to brown. Cool on a rack and enjoy.
• Leftovers can be frozen in an airtight container or ziptop bag and then reheated in the microwave or toaster.

ULTIMATE BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300˚ F.
• Heat the oil in a large (11- to 12-inch) Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until browned. With a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a plate lined with a paper towel and set aside.
• Meanwhile, season the short ribs all over with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Brown half the meat in the Dutch oven over medium heat, turning occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, until browned on all sides. Transfer the meat to a bowl and brown the second batch. (Don't cook them all in one batch or they won't brown!) Transfer the second batch to the bowl and set aside.
• Off the heat, add the Cognac and 1/3 cup of the wine to the pot, scraping up any browned bits, then simmer over medium heat for one minute. Add the onions and fennel and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
• Stir the tomatoes and tomato paste into the vegetables. Add the remaining 2/3 cup of wine, the beef broth, the seared meat (and juices), 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover and bake for 1 1/4 hours, checking occasionally to be sure the liquid is simmering.
• Degrease the stew, if necessary. Stir in the carrots and potatoes, cover and bake for one hour longer, until the vegetables and meat are very tender when tested with a fork. Just before serving, stir in the peas and pancetta, taste for seasonings and serve hot in large, shallow bowls.

CLASSIC BEEF STEW

Steps:

• In 12-inch skillet or 4-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat 1 to 2 minutes. Add beef; cook about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown on all sides.
• Add water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes or until beef is almost tender.
• Stir in remaining ingredients except cold water and flour. Cover; cook about 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaf.
• In tightly covered jar or container, shake cold water and flour; gradually stir into beef mixture. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute until thickened.

BEEF PITA PIZZAS

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until brick red, 1 minute. Add the beef, 2 tablespoons water, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste and cook, breaking up the meat, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 1/4 cup yogurt and 2 teaspoons vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a bowl. Wipe out the skillet and return to medium heat. Brush the pitas with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then lightly toast in the skillet, about 45 seconds per side. Arrange the pitas on a baking sheet and top evenly with the beef mixture. Transfer to the oven and bake 6 minutes. Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup yogurt, 1 tablespoon each olive oil and vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Add the lettuce, beets and cucumber and toss. Slice the pizzas and serve with the salad.

GARLIC BEEF IN PITA BREAD

Steps:

• Combine first 4 ingredients. Add sliced beef. Set aside.
• Cut onions into 1" pieces. Set aside. Combine cornstarch and water in small bowl. Set aside.
• Heat oil in wok. Stir-fry beef, draining and reserving marinade. Remove beef from wok when done, keeping warm.
• Add cornstarch mixture to wok with remaining marinade. Cook until sauce thickens slightly. Remove wok from heat, stir in beef and onions.
• Assemble sandwiches in Pita breads with lettuce.