Hearty Beef Stew

It has been one of those days that I am sure many of you have had. A long day, nothing planned for dinner, in no mood to cook, but craving something delicious. When I opened my fridge I realized that I had very little to work with, so I got creative with what I had and came up with a great beef stew.

As much as I had not planned what I was going to throw together for dinner, I always try to prepare myself for days like these. It is always handy to have meal ideas that can be prepared using staple items that you always have in the cupboards and fridge. For example, I always freeze some stewing beef as well as beef and chicken stock, as it can be used for many soups and stews. I’m also always well stocked with fresh vegetables like carrots, onions and celery, as they are very versatile and used in many recipes. In French cuisine, they are the three base vegetables for most stocks, soups and stews.

Why not throw together a hearty stew and let it simmer for a few hours while taking some much deserved time to relax? Try it out and like always, you are not restricted to these ingredients, as your staples may be different from mine, but can still produce a delicious dish.

Potatoes are Paleo

You’ll see that I’ve thrown 2 optional white potatoes in the recipe. Those add great bulk and taste to the final stew if you choose to add them. For those who are still scared of white potatoes or who see them as inferior to other root vegetables, please refer to my article on Paleo 2.0 or my Pesto Mashed Potatoes recipe for a quick explanation on why carbohydrates or white potatoes are not the enemy and why the first Paleo authors were wrong in recommending against potatoes.

Hearty beef stew recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb stewing beef;
• 2 tbsp paleo cooking fat;
• 4 cups beef stock;
• 1 cup onion, chopped;
• 1 cup celery, chopped;
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped;
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed (optional);
• 1 28oz can diced tomatoes;
• ½ tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped;
• ½ tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped;
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste;

Preparation

1. In a large saucepan over a medium-high heat, combine the onions, celery, carrots, potatoes, if using, as well as the cooking fat. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
2. Add the beef to the saucepan, followed by the tomatoes, beef stock, rosemary and thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Cover the saucepan and cook for about one hour, allowing the stew to simmer. Stir a few times during the cooking process.
4. Remove the lid and cook uncovered for about 45 minutes. If the mixture is too thick at the end of the cooking process, you can add a little bit of water or stock.