Beef Stew With Carrots and Mushrooms

This is a classic! With small portobello mushrooms (cremini) and carrots, red wine and no tomatoes! Adapted from Cooking Light magazine(Jan/Feb 2006).

• Ready In: 3 hrs 25 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon olive oil, divided
• 1  lb cremini mushroom, cut in 1-inch pieces
•  cooking spray
• 2  cups onions, chopped
• 5  garlic cloves, minced (more or less to taste)
• 1⁄3 cup flour
• 2  lbs  lean stewing beef, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1  cup dry red wine
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh thyme (1/2 tsp. dried)
• 2 (14 ounce) cans low sodium beef broth
• 1  bay leaf
• 2  cups white potatoes, peeled, cubed in 1-inch pieces
• 1 1⁄2 cups carrots, sliced in 1-inch slices
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
•  fresh thyme sprig (optional)

Directions

1. Heat 1 teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add mushrooms, and sauté for 5 minutes or until mushrooms begin to brown. Spoon the mushrooms into a large bowl. Lightly coat the skillet with cooking spray. Add onion; sauté 10 minutes or until tender and golden brown. Add the garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add the onion mixture to the mushroom mixture.
2. Put flour in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Dredge the beef pieces in flour, shaking off excess. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in skillet over medium high heat. Add half of the beef mixture; sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoons salt. Cook 6 minutes, browning on all sides. Add browned beef to mushroom mixture. Repeat procedure with remaining beef mixture and 1/8 teaspoons salt.
3. Add 1 cup wine to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add thyme, broth, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Stir in beef mixture. Cover, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer for 1 hour or until beef is just tender.
4. Stir in potatoes and carrots. Simmer, uncovered, 1 hour and 15 minutes or until beef and vegetables are really tender and sauce is thick, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoons salt and pepper. Discard bay leaf. Garnish with thyme sprigs, if you are using. Enjoy!