Cold Weather Comfort Food Simple Beef Stew Recipes

BEST EVER ONE POT BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place a large Dutch Oven pot over medium-high heat and warm the olive oil in it.
• Season the beef with salt and pepper and add to the hot pot, just so the beef covers the bottom of the pot (Don't overcrowd as this will prevent the browning process. Brown the beef in batches if necessary.).
• Brown the beef pieces on each side just until they're beautifully caramelized, sprinkling the flour over the beef as it browns, about 1 teaspoon at a time.
• Remove the beef from the pot to a plate after it has browned (don't worry about cooking it through at this point!) and add the thyme, smoked paprika, onions, garlic, carrots and celery to the pot.
• Stir the vegetables around to catch all the drippings left in the pot from the meat and add the beef back into the pot after the onions are almost translucent.
• Add the red wine, the Worcestershire Sauce, and the tomato paste. Give everything a good stir and let the liquid cook down (it's important to let the wine cook off for a good 4-5 minutes before adding the other liquid).
• Once the wine liquid has reduced for several minutes and it has thickened, add the tomato sauce, the beef stock and the potatoes.
• Give everything a good stir, scraping any bits off the bottom of the pot.
• Make sure the potatoes are nicely nestled into the liquid and add the lid to the pot. Place the pot in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 to 3 and a half hours.
• Every hour or so, lift the lid of the pot and give everything a quick stir.
• If you'd like to add the frozen green beans (they're totally optional and I only add them about 50% of the times I make this dish), stir them in during the last 30 minutes of cooking so they don't get soggy.
• You'll know the stew is done after the allotted time has passed and the beef pieces fall apart when you touch them with a fork.
• Serve in deep bowls with a piece of crusty bread for dipping, and a sprinkling of fresh parsley for garnish (if desired).

COLD WEATHER COMFORT FOOD: SIMPLE BEEF STEW

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. Gather your ingredients.
• 3. Chef's Tip: The most important ingredient in this recipe is the correct cut of beef. The wrong cut of beef can become dry and stringy, which no sauce will ever be able to rescue. If you use beef chuck roast, you will have a juicy, tender and flavorful roast. Every time.
• 4. Take the smashed garlic, /rosemary and thyme, and tie together in a piece of cheesecloth with a piece of cooking twine.
• 5. Chef's Note: Tying the spices together is called a bouquet garni. By bundling them together it helps to remove them from the stew before consumption.
• 6. Add the oil to a Dutch oven, and bring the heat up to medium-high.
• 7. Season the roast with salt and pepper.
• 8. Add the roast to the Dutch oven and sear, about 4 minutes per side.
• 9. Chef's Note: Searing a roast does NOT lock in the juices (not sure how that rumor got started); however, it will add flavor to the finished product.
• 10. Remove the roast, and reserve.
• 11. Place a rack in the lower position, and preheat the oven to 300f (150c)
• 12. Reduce the heat on the Dutch oven to medium low, and layer the onions, potatoes and carrots, in that order.
• 13. Chef's Tip: Try to cut the carrots and potatoes to the same thickness. That way they will all cook evenly.
• 14. Return the roast to the Dutch oven.
• 15. Add the cumin, paprika, cayenne, flour, and wine to the hot broth, and whisk to combine.
• 16. Add the liquid to the Dutch oven, along with the bouquet garni.
• 17. Add the bacon slices to the top of the roast.
• 18. Allow the liquid to come up to a slight simmer.
• 19. Cover and place in the preheated oven.
• 20. Cook in the oven (without opening) for 2 to 3 hours, or until the roast is fork tender.
• 21. Chef's Tip: If you want your veggies to have a bit more of a bite to them, then do not add them until the last hour of cooking.
• 22. Remove the roast, discard the bacon and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
• 23. Remove the bouquet garni from the liquid and discard.
• 24. PLATE/PRESENT
• 25. Place some veggies and gravy in a deep plate.
• 26. Add a thick slice of beef to the top, and ladle on a bit more gravy.
• 27. Serve with some nice biscuits, to soak up all that yummy gravy. Enjoy.
• 28. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

COLD WEATHER SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Cut beef steak into 1-inch cubes.
• Cut carrots into 1 inch pieces.
• Cut red potatoes into quarters.
• In a large skillet, brown beef on all sides.
• In a 5-quart slow cooker, combine the vegetables and pour tomatoes over top.
• In a small bowl, whisk the flour, tomato paste, and broth until smooth.
• Stir in salt, garlic, and pepper.
• Pour into the slow cooker.
• Top with beef.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.