Hearty Beef Stew Recipe

Ingredients:

– 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 large onion, chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 4 cups beef broth
– 1 cup red wine (optional)
– 2 tbsp tomato paste
– 2 bay leaves
– 1 tsp dried thyme
– 1 tsp dried rosemary
– 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
– 4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
– 2 tbsp flour
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. **Brown the Beef:**
– Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
– Add beef cubes and brown on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.

2. **Sauté Vegetables:**
– In the same pot, add onions and cook until softened.
– Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.

3. **Deglaze the Pot:**
– Pour in red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
– Let the wine reduce by half (about 5 minutes).

4. **Simmer:**
– Return beef to the pot.
– Stir in tomato paste, beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary.
– Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until beef is tender.

5. **Add Vegetables:**
– Add carrots and potatoes to the pot.
– Simmer for an additional 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

6. **Thicken the Stew:**
– In a small bowl, mix flour with a bit of cold water to create a slurry.
– Stir the slurry into the stew to thicken the broth.
– Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. **Serve:**
– Ladle the stew into bowls.
– Garnish with fresh parsley.

Enjoy your hearty beef stew with crusty bread or over a bed of rice!