Rustic Beef Stew
Ingredients:
2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
3 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
2 cups beef broth
1 cup red wine (optional, but adds depth)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons flour (optional, for thickening)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Brown the beef in batches (don’t overcrowd the pot) until all sides are seared. Remove the beef and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onions and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
