Name: Beef Stew
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 350 grams Beef chuck (- Cut into cubes); 1 Onion (- chopped); 2 small Carrots (- sliced); 2 medium Potatoes (- diced); 7 Garlic cloves (- crushed); 75 grams Tomato paste; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tbsp Oyster sauce; 1 tsp Thyme; 1 tsp Rosemary; 1 tsp Basil; 2 Beef stock cubes ( (or fresh)); 1 tsp Cumin powder; 1 tsp Paprika powder; 1 tsp White pepper; Salt (- to taste); 3 tbsp Flour; 4 Cooking oil

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Today, we are making Beef Stew. Many people consider this dish the ultimate comfort food for cold, wintery days. Beef stew features a rich gravy, hearty root vegetables, and tender, thick beef.

Now imagine this: It’s a cold day, and you want to enjoy a meal without spending a ton of time in the kitchen, then you are in luck. This beef stew recipe comes together in 60 minutes and is packed with flavor. Using my tips and tricks, you will have a delicious meal in the shortest time.

The Historical Origin of Beef Stew

Beef stew has ancient roots; humans have been simmering meat in liquid ever since the invention of pottery. There is evidence of stew-like dishes that date back to the Sumerians and the Scythians. They used animal hides as makeshift pots to boil meat over fire.

Ingredients

Cumin Powder, Smoked paprika, White pepper powder, and Beef Stock Cubes, Garlic Cloves, Onion, Carrots, Potatoes, Beef Chuck, Dried Thyme, Rosemary, Basil, Worcestershire Sauce, and Oyster Sauce.

This recipe is often made with the toughest pieces of meat, such as beef chuck. However, you can also use beef shank, which will release its gelatinous collagen into the gravy, making the stew’s flavor out of this world. Beef oxtail will also work for this recipe. Many chefs use a combination of beef chuck and oxtail to create the most decadent, beefiest sauce imaginable. Avoid sirloin and tenderloin; the potatoes and carrots need time to cook, and those cuts lack enough fat and connective tissue to produce a rich, hearty gravy.

This recipe uses warm spices such as Cumin and Smoked Paprika to give the beef stew bold, robust flavours. A Beef stock cube enhaces the savoury taste. The Garlic cloves and Onions add sweetness. The Carrots and Potatoes make the stew thick and brimming with flavor. The spices are minimal and rely on simple ingredients such as Dried thyme, Rosemary, and basil, along with Worcestershire sauce and oyster sauce, to give this stew an edge and accentuate the flavors in a short time.

Instructions

Add cooking oil to a pot. Cut the beef into small cubes to lessen the cooking time. Start by browning your beef cubes in a pot. As the beef cooks, it will release loads of flavor, forming the base of your beef stew.

Let the beef simmer & sizzle until it has browned. After your beef has cooked, scoop it out and set it aside. Add cooking oil to the pot, then add the sliced onions and minced garlic. Caramelize the onion & garlic; this step will take 6 to 8 minutes. Add the spices, including smoked paprika, cumin powder, and white pepper, to the onions and mix well.

Add the beef back to the pot and mix well. Add the oyster sauce and flour, and mix well. The key is to add the flour one tablespoon at a time, mix, and repeat. Add water.

Add 900 ml of water to a pot, then add the potatoes and carrots. Sprinkle in the basil, thyme, and rosemary, along with the beef stock cubes. Include the tomato paste as well. For now, only add a pinch of salt, since the beef stock already contains salt. You can taste the stew later and adjust the seasoning if needed. Cook the beef stew over medium heat for 50 minutes, ensuring it reaches a rolling boil. Remember to stir the mixture every 10 minutes. After 50 minutes, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue stirring until the stew is fully cooked.

The dish is incredibly hearty, and the flavour is rich and intense. Be sure to check the salt and adjust as needed.

Expert tips

For the best cut of beef for stew, choose meat that has good marbling and connective tissue. A chuck roast or brisket are excellent options. To thicken the stew, you can use all-purpose flour or corn starch. Be sure to add the corn starch in small amounts to prevent clumping. Alternatively, mashed potatoes can serve as a healthier thickening option. Beef stew can be prepared in advance; the longer it sits in your fridge, the more flavorful it becomes. As for cooking time, it will depend on the size of the beef chunks. Larger pieces will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to cook.

What to Serve with Beef Stew?

Beef Stew is a versatile recipe and is considered one of the most satisfying comfort foods in the world. There are so many different side dishes that will pair well with beef stew. It can be devoured with garlic bread, garlic naan, Jasmine rice, or Creamy mashed potatoes.

How to Store Beef Stew?

Store in the refrigerator for three to four days. If you choose to freeze beef stew, it is recommended that you remove the potatoes. Beef stew without potatoes can be frozen for three months. Reheat on the stove or in the refrigerator.