Homemade Comfort Food: Hearty Beef Stew Recipe

Comfort food is a perfect remedy for those chilly evenings or simple days when you just need something warm and soul-soothing to uplift your spirits. One of the most beloved comfort foods has always been beef stew, a dish that can be enjoyed by all ages with its rich flavors and tender meat. If you're looking for an easy, yet delicious recipe that will satisfy your cravings for a hearty meal, then this homemade Beef Stew recipe is just what you need! This comforting dish serves 4 to 6 people and takes approximately 2 hours of cooking time.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef chuck or stewing beef
• 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 1 onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth (low sodium preferred)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 tablespoons olive oil or butter for searing

Directions:

1. Sear the beef: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Pat the beef dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Sear the meat in batches until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes per batch. Remove the seared beef from the pot and set aside.
2. Cook vegetables: Reduce heat to medium and add remaining tablespoon of olive oil or butter. Add sliced onions and garlic, sautéing for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute. This is called a "brown sauce" as it helps thicken the stew.
3. Create your stew: Return seared beef to the pot along with potatoes, carrots, bay leaves, dried thyme, and beef broth. Bring mixture to a simmer over low heat.
4. Cook until ready: Cover the pot and let it gently simmer for about 1.5 hours or until the meat is falling apart. If you prefer your stew even more tender, add another half hour of cooking time. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
5. Serve hot: Remove bay leaves before serving. Serve this comforting beef stew warm over a bed of cooked pasta or rice for an extra boost of flavor.

Tips & Variations:

• Add some red wine to the pot during cooking to deepen the flavors!
• For a faster but equally delicious option, consider using pre-cooked ground beef instead of chuck. It will cut down on prep time by about an hour.
• To make this dish vegetarian-friendly, replace the beef with vegetables like zucchini, eggplant or mushrooms and reduce the cooking time to around 30 minutes.

Health Benefits:

This hearty stew is packed full of essential nutrients which contribute positively towards your overall well-being. Potatoes are a great source of fiber and vitamin C, while carrots provide antioxidants and beta-carotene. The beef itself offers significant amounts of protein as well as minerals like iron and zinc.

Conclusion:

The beauty of this Beef Stew recipe lies in its simplicity yet incredible richness of flavor. Whether you're looking for something to make during a rainy afternoon or planning ahead for company, beef stew is sure to be a hit at your dinner table. Its comforting aroma will fill the house while it simmers, making every bite a rewarding experience! So try this simple yet delicious recipe today and enjoy the cozy satisfaction of homemade comfort food.