Comforting Barley Pumpkin Beef Stew Recipes

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.

COMFORTING BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches. Remove with a slotted spoon., In same pan, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomato paste. Gradually stir in broth until blended. Return beef to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 1-1/2 hours., In a small bowl, mix flour and water until smooth; gradually stir into stew. Add carrots and turnips; cook, covered, 30-40 minutes longer or until stew is thickened and beef and vegetables are tender. Stir in parsley. Freeze option: Freeze cooled stew in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth if necessary.

BEEF STEW IN A PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Scrub pumpkin well.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in 5 quart casserole over medium heat.
• Add beef in batches to brown on all sides.
• Warm brandy, ignite and pour over beef.
• Transfer meat to platter and set aside.
• In same casserole pot, combine oil, onion, green pepper and garlic, cooking over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add stock and madeira and bring to boil.
• Scrape sides and return meat and juices to pot.
• Stir in tomatoes, salt, oregano, pepper, bay leaf, and cloves.
• Cover, reduce heat to low and cook 15 minutes.
• Add potatoes and cook 15 minutes more.
• Stir in zucchini and cook 10 minutes more.
• Add corn, apricots and prunes and cook another 5 minutes.
• Keep stew warm on low heat while preparing pumpkin.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cut pumpkin about 3 or 4 inches from top to form a lid and do not remove stem!
• Scrape out seeds and string fibers from lid and base.
• Brush melted margarine inside pumpkin and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
• Replace lid and bake pumpkin in roasting pan about 40 minutes.
• Pour juices from pumpkin into stew and stir well.
• Place stew into pumpkin and bake about 15 minutes longer.

CAZUELA DE VACA (BEEF AND PUMPKIN STEW)

Steps:

• Cut the piece of beef into 6 large chunks (one per serving). Place the beef into a large saucepan; pour in the beef broth and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer until nearly tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Stir the polenta into the stew along with the potatoes and onion. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Cut the pumpkin into 6, serving-sized pieces, and add to the stew along with the corn, carrot, bell pepper, celery, and leek; simmer until the vegetables are tender, adding more water if needed to barely cover. Stir in the oregano and paprika during the last 5 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into serving bowls, and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.