My Fav. Beef Stew.

While the weather is getting colder....my kitchen is getting warmer. I am a big fan of making comfort food, and I just recently made Beef Stew, and I was very pleased with it, so I wanted to share it.

Beef Stew

Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
2lbs. Beef
Salt
Pepper
4 cloves of Garlic (chopped)
2 Tbs. Flour
1 Lg. Sweet Onion (chopped)
1 Tbs. Steak Seasoning (your preference)
1 Tbs. Oregano
2 Bay leaves.
1 tsp. Thyme.
1/2 bottle RED wine. (if you drink it, use it)
4 cups. beef broth.
3 carrots
4 Lg. Potatoes.
1 bag of peas.
1 bag of egg noodles.

1. Liberally salt and pepper your beef. Line your heavy duty pot/dutch oven with olive oil, and sear your beef in the bottom of the pan on all sides. Make sure you don't touch it too much, because you want the carmelized beefy bits on the bottom of the pot. After all your beef is browned, remove and set on a plate.

2. Add your garlic and onions and seasonings (steak, oregano,thyme, bay) and saute, while scraping up all your beef bits on the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. After your onions are a little translucent add the flour and wine, and the beef, and bring to a simmer.

3. Once the wine has simmered for about ten minutes and thickened a bit, add the beef stock. Bring it all up to a boil, and then cover, reduce to a simmer, and WALK AWAY! Let the stew simmer for at LEAST two hours.

4. After your favorite movie, return to your stew.

5. Add the carrots and potatoes, in bite size pieces. Let those cook in the simmering liquid for at least 30 minutes.

6. When the carrots are tender, not mushy, add the noodles and the peas. Wait ten minutes. and Serve with your favorite chunky bread.




This stew is one of my favorites. The real key is to let it cook at a simmer for a while, the beef will be really tender. If you try to rush it, don't. Your beef will be tough and chewy if you rush it, don't. But do try the stew. It is warm and yummy, and brings a smile to everyone's face. :)


ENJOY!

****pictures coming soon*****