CLASSIC BEEF STEW

Raise your hand if you love beef stew! Your hand should most definitely be raised, come on….get it up!!  I hadn’t had (or made) beef stew in a really long time, but have been thinking about it lately. Then the other weekend, my in-laws had it up at their house. Then my friend Kristen (you can find her over at http://www.livinglovingpaleo.com) made some on her instagram and it sealed the deal for me. I went out that next morning and bought a big batch of beef stew pieces. Sidenote: I love how grocery stores already have the pieces all cut up for you. Makes my life WAY easier!  I seriously love beef stew. It’s hearty and just plain delightful on a cold winter evening. It also freezes really well, so triple the batch!

This beef stew is super easy to put together. Let it simmer for a couple hours to really get the most out of all the awesome flavors. I always serve ours over a big ol’ pile of mashed potatoes. A really really big pile. Some people prefer to cube their potatoes and put them in the pot or to omit the potatoes completely. It’s up to you!

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CLASSIC BEEF STEW

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Yield: 6-8

Ingredients

• 2.5-3 lbs beef stew pieces
• 1/2 cup beef stock
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 (14.5 oz) can of diced tomatoes, drained
• 10-15 baby carrots, cut in half
• 3 stalks of celery, large dice
• 2 tbl balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbl oil
• 2 tbl dried parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• bag of small potatoes, cut or mashed
• 1 tbl arrowroot powder
• fresh parsley for garnishing
• salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat up your oil.
2. Once hot add in your onion and saute for 3-5 minutes.
3. Stir and add in your meat.
4. Let brown for a few minutes then add in your broth, diced tomatoes, dried parsley, and balsamic.
5. Mix well, add in the bay leaf, cover and turn to simmer for 2 hours.
6. With an hour left, add in your carrots and celery. If using cut potatoes, add them in here.
7. Stir and then cover again for the last hour
8. While waiting, steam some potatoes for 15 min then mash them up. Set aside.
9. After the last hour is up, take a small bowl and ladle in about 1/2 cup of the stew liquid. Add your arrowroot powder and stir around until it gets thick.
10. Add that back into the big pot and stir until well incorporated.
11. Add your salt and pepper, ladle over some mashed potatoes and garnish with fresh parsley.

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You can find arrowroot powder (I use it instead of flour to help thicken the stew) in the bulk section of your local grocer or down the baking aisle.

What sort of things do you like to put in your beef stew? Am I missing something completely scrumptious that I should put in next time I make it?!!?

Whole30: yes

Paleo: omit potatoes!