Beef Stew...Really Good Beef Stew!

I made beef stew for the first time. I will be making this recipe again. It was good and fun to make. I felt all French and Julia like...yea, it does not take much to entertain me! 

I am hoping that Best Mom on The Block reads this post and decides to make this recipe. She is magic in the kitchen and can take any recipe up a notch. In the meantime, make this stew. It is filling, warm and oh so good!

photo by: Hans Gissinger

recipe from Real Simple (Jan 2010)

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
kosher salt and black pepper
5 pounds beef chuck, cut into 16 large pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
2 stalks celery, cut into 3-inch lengths
1 medium onion, quartered
1 750-milliliter bottle red wine (such as Pinot Noir or Syrah)
2 bay leaves
2 pounds medium carrots (about 10), cut into 3-inch lengths
1 1/2 pounds turnips, peeled and quartered
2 12-ounce packages egg noodles
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions:
Heat oven to 325° F. In a bowl, mix the flour, 1½ teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add the beef and toss to coat.

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. In batches, brown the beef, turning, 6 to 8 minutes; transfer to a plate as it browns.

Add the tomato paste, celery, onion, wine, bay leaves, a quarter of the carrots, and 2 cups water. Return the beef to the pot and bring to a boil. Cover the pot, transfer to oven, and cook for 2 hours.

Remove the cooked vegetables with a slotted spoon and discard; skim and discard any fat from the stew. Add the turnips and the remaining carrots. Cover the pot, return it to oven, and cook until the meat and vegetables are tender, 45 to 60 minutes. If the stew is too thin, place the pot on the stove and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes more.

Twenty minutes before the stew is done, cook the noodles according to the package directions and toss with the butter. Serve with the stew and sprinkle with the parsley.
By Sara Quessenberry, January 2010

I served my stew in a bread bowl. My mom made this and served hers on the noodles. Both good :)

XOXO-