Ah, beef stew! The culinary equivalent of a warm hug on a chilly day. If you’ve ever thought about whipping up a delicious 5-star beef stew that even the snobbiest food critics would give a thumbs up to, you’re in the right place! Grab your apron, and let’s get stewing!
Classic Beef Stew
Imagine coming home after a long day and the aroma of this hearty beef stew welcomes you! This recipe is perfect for those who love to satisfy their taste buds while also impressing everyone with their cooking prowess. Let’s dive into what you’ll need to master the art of stewing!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the beef pieces and brown them on all sides. You want them to look like they’ve just come back from a Caribbean vacation—nice, golden, and bronzed!
- Once the beef is beautifully browned, remove it from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, throw in the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté them until they’re soft and fragrant, which basically means they smell fantastic and will have you salivating!
- Add the return beef into the pot with the sautéed onion and garlic. It’s time to bring it all together. Next, pour in the beef broth, making sure to scrape up any tasty bits stuck to the bottom of the pot — those bits are flavor gold!
- Now, it’s time to add the carrots, potatoes, tomato paste, thyme, bay leaf, and a hearty sprinkle of salt and pepper. Stir everything together, and let the ingredients mingle in the pot for a bit.
- Bring your stew to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 2 hours. This is when the magic happens! While it cooks, you could… do absolutely nothing, or you could assemble the world's largest spoon collection. Your choice!
- Finally, when the stew is thick and hearty, add the frozen peas and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. If it’s missing something, just sprinkle in a pinch of love! (And maybe a dash more salt.)
And there you have it! A stew worthy of a gourmet restaurant—all made in your own kitchen. Serve this with a slice of crusty bread, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’ll knock the socks off anyone lucky enough to share it with you. Enjoy every savory bite of your 5-star beef stew!
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