Sweet And Savory Beef Stew For Two Recipes

BEEF STEW FOR TWO

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 1 cup wine, lemon juice, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce; add the beef. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight., Drain and discard marinade. In a large saucepan, brown beef in oil. Remove meat and set aside. In the same pan, saute onion until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add 2 cups beef broth and remaining wine. Return meat to pan., Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, thyme and cayenne. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables and beef are tender. Discard thyme sprigs., In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and remaining beef broth until smooth. Gradually stir into stew. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

SWEET BEEF STEW

Steps:

• In a pressure cooker, brown beef, onions and garlic in oil over medium heat. Stir in salt, ginger, pepper and nutmeg. Combine the apricot nectar, soy sauce, molasses and brown sugar; pour over meat. Close cover securely; place pressure regulator on vent pipe., Bring cooker to full pressure over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 20 minutes. (Pressure regulator should maintain a slow steady rocking motion; adjust heat if needed.) Remove from the heat; allow pressure to drop on it's own., Remove meat with a slotted spoon. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually add to pan drippings. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in meat and serve over rice.

SWEET AND SAVORY BEEF STEW FOR TWO

Steps:

• Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large ovenproof saucepan over medium heat. Add beef and cook until browned on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and sliced onion to the pan; cook, stirring often, for 1 minute.
• Stir in thyme, sage, salt and pepper; cook for 30 seconds.
• Return the beef to the pan and sprinkle with flour. Cook, stirring often, until the flour browns, about 3 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Pour in broth; scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Continue cooking until the liquid bubbles and thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in squash. Cover the pan, or transfer mixture to an ovenproof casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray, and bake COVERED for 1 hour.
• Stir in dried fruit, cover and continue baking until the meat is tender when pierced with a fork, maybe up to 20-30 minutes more.
• Makes 2 servings, about 1 1/2 cups each.