Beef Stew has been a favorite of mine since I was able to eat table food at around age two. My mother was taught this recipe from her mom over 50-years ago. It is very easy to make, delicious, taste great the next day if you have any left over. For whatever reason, my mom said to always make beef stew in the late morning or early afternoon for the required time, move it off the hot burner to a cool burner, and let it sit. Just before dinner time, heat it up on a low flame, and serve in a bowl or plate hot.
Beef Stew
Yields: 5 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons vegetable oil (add more if needed)
2 pounds beef stew meat (if too big cut meat cubes in half)
1 large white or yellow onion, cut in medium pieces
3 stalks celery, chopped in small pieces
1 large clove of garlic minced into very tiny pieces or use a garlic press
½ cup of ketchup
4 large yellow, white, or red potatoes (clean, pealed, and quartered or smaller if too big)
3 or 4 carrots, peeled and cut into medium pieces
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 cup water
Instructions:
1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over MEDIUM-HIGH heat.
2. Add the meat cubes to the pan. Sauté the beef and then add the ketchup while browning. Sprinkle salt & pepper to your taste and stir until all the meat is nicely browned
3. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a dish and set aside
4. Add additional oil to pan if needed and add the onion, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally and until softened
5. After all the onions, celery, and garlic is softened, add the water, the beef, and the juices that have accumulated back into the pot and bring to a boil
6. Reduce heat to LOW, cover, and simmer for 1 ½ hours, or until the beef is fork tender
7. Add the potatoes and carrots and raise the heat under the pot to bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat to LOW, cover and simmer for another 45 minutes to 1-hour until the veggies are fork tender.
8. Remove from heat, let it sit and cool, and the all will thicken
9. Reheat just before serving and then serve hot
Suggestion for a Side and Dessert:
· Serve with toasted garlic bread or warm Italian bread with butter. Use either bread for dipping in the delicious natural gravy that you will have at the bottom of your dish or bowl.
· Warm apple pie with your choice of ice cream on top or whipped cream
Source of Information: My Grandmother’s recipe
Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!