Beef Stew

Savory and hearty beef stew recipe for the slow cooker. Serve with crusty French bread and full-bodied red wine.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lb. boneless stewing beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste (~ 1/2 tsp. each; sub: seasoned salt)
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 carrots, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 10 oz. new potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 Tbs. tomato paste
• 2 cups beef stock
• 2 cups red wine

Optional ingredients:

• 1 cup steamed chestnuts

- or -

• 1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. paprika

Combine flour, salt and pepper in a large bowl or plastic bag. Add beef and toss to coat.

In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm half the olive oil until just smoking. Add half the beef and brown on all sides (3 - 4 minutes). Transfer to a slow cooker. Repeat with the remaining oil and beef. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, potatoes, tomato paste, stock and any of the optional ingredients into the slow cooker and stir to combine.

Off the heat, pour the wine into the sauté pan and set over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and deglaze pan with a wooden spoon. Add the wine to the slow cooker, cover and cook on high for 6 hours.