Favourite Beef Stew

Simple home-style cooking is always the best and every culture loves stew - this version is a favourite in my family! Sometimes, I'll add parsnips or turnips - at other times, I'll omit the potatoes & serve over broad noodles - and occasionally, I top it with dumplings!!

• Ready In: 3 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 2 -2 1⁄2 lbs lean beef, cut into cubes
• 2  tablespoons light olive oil
• 2  tablespoons butter (or margarine)
• 1  onion, finely chopped
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 1  bay leaf
• 2  teaspoons  chopped fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 4  cups  beef stock
•  salt & pepper
• 1⁄4 cup red wine (recommended!) (optional)
• 6 -8  carrots, coarsely chopped
• 6 -8  potatoes, coarsely chopped
• 6 -8  small onions, coarsely chopped
• 1 (28 ounce) can Italian tomatoes, drained & chopped
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped fresh Italian parsley

Directions

1. Pat meat dry with a paper towel.
2. Heat oil & butter together in a large heavy saucepan.
3. Add meat & cook, stirring constantly, until browned all over.
4. Remove from pot, cover & set aside.
5. To juices remaining in pot, add chopped onion & cook, stirring often, until tender.
6. Add a little more butter, if necessary.
7. Stir in flour & cook, stirring, until mixture is golden.
8. Return meat to pot.
9. Add next 6 ingredients (if using wine, I recommend adding this first to deglaze) - bring to a boil, stirring up browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
10. Reduce heat, cover & simmer until the meat is tender- about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
11. Add vegetables & continue to simmer until veggies are tender- about 30 minutes.
12. Taste & adjust seasoning, if necessary.
13. Sprinkle with parsley.