Spicy & Hearty Beef Stew for a Cozy Evening

The following recipe was originally posted on www.fullersfineherbs.com where you can find more recipe ideas and gourmet cooking ingredients. A chunky beef and vegetable mélange in a spicy and saucy gravy. Perfect one dish meal that can also be adapted to a slow cooker meal.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 25 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2  lbs lean beef, cut in 1 1/2 inch cubes
• 2  tablespoons  fat
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 4  tablespoons flour
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper or 1⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2  teaspoons chili powder (essential for this stew)
• 1  bay leaf
• 2  teaspoons  Italian herb seasoning, such as fuller's beaujolais blend
• 4  cloves (whole cloves the spice)
• 2  raw tomatoes, chopped or 15  ounces  canned diced tomatoes
• 1  raw  red pepper, coarsely chopped
• 2  cups  meat stock or 2  cups beef broth
• 2  cups boiling water
• 6  small  red potatoes, cut in half
• 6  small carrots, sliced 1 inch thick
• 6  small onions or 2  medium onions, quartered
• 3 -4  stalks celery, sliced
• 1  cup fresh peas (can also use green beans)

Directions

1. Heat a large, heavy skillet with the oil.
2. Brown the meat over medium high heat turning as needed; sprinkle with sugar and continue to brown. Dust lightly with flour and continue to brown.
3. Add the tomatoes, red pepper, herbs, bay leaf, cloves, beef stock and boiling water. Cover and simmer over low heat about 1 hour or until meat is tender.
4. Add the vegetables except the peas or beans and combine. Continue to cook 30 minutes longer.
5. Add peas; cook 5 minutes longer.
6. Serve with French bread or homemade buttermilk biscuits.