Rustic Beef Stew recipe

Certainly! Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Rustic Beef Stew:

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (about 900g) stewing beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, toss the beef cubes with the flour until evenly coated.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the coated beef cubes and brown them on all sides. This step helps to develop rich flavors in the stew. Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
3. In the same pot, add diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are softened and translucent.
4. Add tomato paste to the pot and stir well to combine with the onions and garlic.
5. Pour in the red wine (if using) to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
6. Return the browned beef to the pot, along with carrots, celery, potatoes, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
7. Pour in the beef broth, ensuring that the ingredients are well-submerged. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 2 hours or until the beef is tender.
8. Add frozen peas during the last 15 minutes of cooking to retain their vibrant color and texture.
9. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove bay leaves before serving.
10. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

This rustic beef stew is hearty, comforting, and perfect for colder days. Serve it with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy!