Recipe: Classic Beef Stew

Ingredients: 2 lbs (about 900g) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 4 carrots, peeled and chopped 4 celery stalks, chopped 4 potatoes, peeled and diced 4 cups beef broth 1 cup red wine (optional) 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried rosemary Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional) Instructions: Coat the Beef: In a large bowl, toss the beef stew meat with flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the browned beef from the pot and set aside. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add chopped carrots, celery, and potatoes to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine Ingredients: Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in beef broth and red wine (if using). Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Simmer the Stew: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Stir occasionally. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve: Remove bay leaves from the stew before serving. Ladle the beef stew into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy! Serve this classic beef stew piping hot on a chilly day. It's hearty, comforting, and full of rich flavors that will warm you from the inside out. Perfect for enjoying with crusty bread or a side salad.