Award Winning Beef Stew

Submitted by Queen Dragon Mom

"Adopted! Beef stew rates very high on the list of tasty dishes if the beef and other ingredients are of a good grade. Use a good grade of meat (sirloin) and pick out the best brands for the other ingredients off the grocery shelf. I was first introduced to beef stew when I enlisted in the USAF. It was one of my favorite dishes. I knew the basic ingredients, and when I left the service, I started preparing beef stew at home. Over the years, I kept adding to and subtracting from until I came up with this recipe. I hope you enjoy the finished product as much as I do."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 45mins
• Ingredients: 25
• Serves: 20

ingredients

• 10 slices thick bacon, diced
• 2 cups beef stew meat, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 lbs lamb stew meat, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 lbs pork stew meat, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter
• 4 sweet red onions, chopped
• 2 heads garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
• 6 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
• 2 cups red wine vinegar
• 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans peeled and diced tomatoes
• 10 cups beef stock
• 2 (12 fluid ounce) cans beer
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 6 cups water
• 4 red bell peppers, chopped
• 6 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 parsnips, chopped
• 6 stalks celery, chopped
• 8 carrots, chopped
• 2 cups dry breadcrumbs
• 1 medium cabbage, chopped
• 2 cups green peas

directions

1. In a large skillet over medium high heat, fry the bacon for 5 to 10 minutes, or until well browned.
2. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside.
3. In small batches, saute the meat in the bacon fat until browned.
4. Use a slotted spoon and set the stew meats aside as well.
5. Melt the butter in the bacon fat in the same skillet over medium heat.
6. Add the onion and garlic and saute for 5 minutes.
7. Stir in the flour, caraway seeds, paprika and crushed red pepper flakes.
8. Stir for two minutes until all the flour is dissolved.
9. Whisk in the vinegar and tomato.
10. The mixture should be very thick.
11. Next, pour in the beef stock, beer, salt, water, red bell peppers, reserved bacon and reserved meat.
12. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
13. Stir in the potatoes, parsnip, celery and carrots and continue to simmer, covered, for 30 more minutes, or until all vegetables are tender.
14. Stir in the breadcrumbs until stew has thickened.
15. Add the cabbage and peas and simmer for 5 more minutes.
16. (Note: For best results, allow soup to cool slightly, then refrigerate overnight and reheat before serving.).

Reviews

[smile4uuu]

Best Beef Stew ever! Perfect for the skier or tailgater...a hearty stew with lots of "stuff" and a tangy, spicy finish. Although great on its own, you can kick it up a knotch serving it in a sourdough bread bowl..definitely a Bobby Flay kick butt recipe. Its a keeper.