Sunday, July 04, 2010

Beef Stew - a la Grandpa's orders

Well, I am "winging it" with a gourmet beef stew. Grandpa is dictating the process to me, but has yet to give me any actual measurements (just the ingredients), so I'm sort of making this up as I go. So far it tastes and smells delicious, so I guess this collaboration is working well.
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BEEF STEW
4-4.5 pounds boneless shoulder roast
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Vidalia Onions - coursely chopped
3 Green Bell Peppers - coursely chopped
2 Jalepeno peppers (de-seeded, and cores removed) - chopped
1 small bag baby carrots
2 celery stalks - coursely chopped
1 small container of chopped mushrooms (fresh)
1 cup red wine
4 cups beef stock (or broth)
4 Idaho potatoes (coursely chopped) - no need to peel unless you prefer them that way.
1/4 cup flour
1 big bay leaf (or 2 small ones)

Instructions:
Set Roast out to thaw (unless fresh)
Cut into 1 inch cubes
Put olive oil into a large pot, heat to medium low, and brown the cubes of beef, then remove the cubes and set aside.
Add coursely chopped onions, simmer in remaining olive oil/liquid, until translucent
Add celery and peppers, simmer until soft
Add flour and red wine, make a roux - careful not to burn, keep stirring
Then add carrots and potatoes, bay leaf, all of the cubed/seared beef, and beef stock/broth, bring to gentle boil
Add mushrooms.
Turn down heat to simmer. keep simmering, uncovered, stirring occaisionally for 1-2 hours (until beef cubes are tender)- basically you are reducing the broth down to the good stuff. mmm...
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Serve in bowls. Side of toasted slices of french bread (or sliced/toasted baguette).

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