Rustic beef stew is a hearty and comforting dish, perfect for cooler weather. Here’s a delicious recipe to make it:
Ingredients:
2 pounds stewing beef, cut into bite-sized pieces.
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
1 cup red wine (optional)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
2 bay leaves
4 carrots, peeled and chopped into chunks.
3 potatoes, peeled and chopped into chunks
1 cup frozen peas (optional)
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Season and Sear Beef:
Season the stewing beef pieces with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches and sear until browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics:
In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Deglaze Pot:
Pour in the beef broth and red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Add Flavorings:
Stir in the tomato paste, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaves. Return the seared beef to the pot and stir to combine.
Simmer:
Bring the stew to a simmer over medium heat. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
Add Vegetables:
Add the chopped carrots and potatoes to the stew. Cover and simmer for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Add Peas (Optional):
If using frozen peas, add them to the stew during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Adjust Seasoning:
Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
Serve:
Ladle the rustic beef stew into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Enjoy:
Serve the stew hot and enjoy its comforting and rich flavors.