Ingredients (Serves 4 – 5)
1. Beef ( beef chuck roast preferred) – 1.5 – 2 lb, cut into bite-sized pieces
2. Olive Oil – 2.5 tbsp
3. Onion – 1 medium, cubed
Garlic – 4 cloves, minced
4. Salt and pepper – To season
5. All purpose flour – 1.5 tbsp
6. Red wine – 1/4 cup (Optional)
Tomato paste – 2 tsp (Optional)
7. Beef broth / stock (can be replaced with chicken stock) – 1 cup + 1 cup water
8. Bay leaf – 1
9. Fresh thyme and rosemary – 1 tsp each (You can replace them with 1/4 – 1/2 tsp each of dried rosemary and thyme)
10. Potato – 2 small, cubed
Carrot – 1 large, cubed
Celery – 3 stalks, cubed
11. Sugar – 1/4 – 1/2 tsp (To balance the flavors)
12. Parsley – 3 tbsp, finely chopped
Method
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef pieces (you can add them in 1 – 2 batches), a pinch of salt and pepper and cook them for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally until seared on all sides. Add onion, garlic and cook for a few minutes. Sprinkle all purpose flour and cook for a minute or two. Add red wine and mix well. Next add tomato paste and stir well. Add beef broth, water, bay leaf, thyme and rosemary. Bring to a boil and then bring down the heat to low. Cover and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
2. Meanwhile in a separate pan, saute the cubed potato, carrot and celery in 1.5 tbsp olive oil adding little salt and pepper until they start to develop some color. (You can add the vegetables directly to the stew if you want.) Add this to the beef stew after 1 hr. Add more beef stock / hot water if required. Again cover and cook for 30 – 45 minutes until the beef is fork-tender and vegetables are done. Taste-check for salt and pepper. Add a little bit sugar (to balance the flavors) and mix well. Sprinkle chopped parsley. Serve with any crusty bread or rolls.
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