Perfect Beef Stew (Print Version)

Ingredients:

01 - 2 pounds beef stewing meat, trimmed and cut into 2-3 inch cubes.
02 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour.
03 - 2 teaspoons salt.
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper.
05 - 4 tablespoons vegetable oil.
06 - 1 cup red wine.
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter.
08 - 1 medium onion, peeled and finely diced.
09 - 1 medium onion, cut into quarters.
10 - 5 cloves garlic, minced.
11 - 4 cloves garlic, whole.
12 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce.
13 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste.
14 - 4 cups low-sodium beef broth (more if needed).
15 - 3 bay leaves.
16 - 1 bunch fresh thyme.
17 - 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds.
18 - 1 cup diced celery.
19 - 1 pound mini red potatoes, peeled and cut into halves.
20 - 8 ounces baby Bella mushrooms, cleaned, stems removed and caps cut into halves.
21 - Fresh parsley, for garnish.

Instructions:

01 - In a large bowl, toss the beef chunks with flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
02 - In a heavy-duty, oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
03 - Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
04 - Melt the butter in the pot, then add diced onion and minced garlic. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Stir in Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and beef broth. Add the browned beef back to the pot along with quartered onion, whole garlic cloves, bay leaves, and thyme.
06 - Cover and simmer on low heat for 1 1/2 hours, skimming broth as needed.
07 - Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Discard thyme and bay leaves.
08 - Add carrots, celery, potatoes, and mushrooms. Stir to combine. Cover and cook in the oven for 1 hour, or until vegetables are tender.
09 - Taste and adjust seasoning. For a thicker stew, add a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and bring to a boil for 2 minutes.
10 - Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes:

01 - Perfect Beef Stew is a hearty, comforting classic, filled with tender beef, vegetables, and rich flavors. It’s perfect for cold nights or when you’re craving a filling, warm meal!.