Homemade Stew

         "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, 

it would be a merrier world."

- J.R.R. Tolkien 

 

Comfort... It can be an old blanket, a warm sunny day, in the arms of someone you love, or even in a bowl of warm stew. A good bowl of homemade stew is like getting a warm hug inside your belly. Even on the worst days the basic comfort of meat and potatoes fills you up without guilt. While the bright vegetables give their  much needed vitamins to your system. So enjoy a warm bowl of love tonight.

Beef Stew

 

2/3 cup flour

1/4 tsp pepper

3 lbs beef chuck cut into cubes

1/3 cup olive oil

1 cup onions, chopped

1 cup celery

3 crushed garlic cloves

21 oz condensed beef broth

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp dried thyme

1 tbs parsley

6 small potatoes halved (I like yellow and red)

6 medeum carrots, cut in large slices (or 1 cup baby carrots)

2 small onions quartered

1 lb brown mushroom

1/2 to 1 cup red wine (depends on your taste)

1: Combine flour and pepper; coat the beef cubes. Reserve remaining flour.

2:  In a large pot add 3 tbs of hot oil, add beef and remove when mostly browned.

3: In the same pot Saute onion, celery and garlic until tender.

4: Return beef to pot and add broth, wine, and spices. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally

5: Reduce to simmer, cover and continue cooking for 1-3/4 hours.

6: Add remaining vegetables and cook covered (remember to crack the lid just a little bit) for about another 45 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. If necessary thicken the broth by whisking in 2 tbs of the leftover flour mixture. Simmer until thick.

Can be served alone, over rice, or with garlic bread.

ENJOY!