This year I couldn’t be more excited about flannel sheets, boots with comfy socks, baking, and the warm, comforting food fall brings. We spent the last three Octobers in San Diego, and don’t get me wrong – I love San Diego, but I couldn’t help missing the change of seasons this time of year. Fall is my favorite! I am sure by February
I will be eating my words and wanting nothing more than the year-round 70-degree San Diego weather. But for now we are soaking up being able to open up the windows all day and going outside with a light jacket on.
Beef stew is one of my favorite winter comfort foods. Something about the marbled chuck roast braising with root vegetables in a base of red wine gets me every time; whether that be my favorite pot roast or beef bourguignon.
I’ve tried many beef stew recipes and this one comes out on top. So many are lacking that rich meaty flavor I expect from such a stew.
We served this with gluten-free corn muffins and a fresh green salad. I love how rustic the stew looks and it is great for serving a crowd.
Happy Fall Everyone!
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The Best Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 1 boneless beef chuck-eye roast, about 4 pounds, trimmed of excess fat, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, halved and cut from pole to pole into 1/8-inch-thick slices (about 2 cups)
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/4 cup gluten free all purpose flour, or regular flour
- 1 cup red wine, or 1 additional cup of beef broth
- 3 cups gluten-free low-sodium chicken broth/stock or beef broth/stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 springs thyme, or 1 1/2 teaspoons dry thyme
- 4 ounces salt pork, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 pound yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1 inch chunks (I like to peel mine)
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Pat meat dry with paper towels. Do not season. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a Dutch oven over high heat until shimmering. Add half of beef and cook until well browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Reduce the heat if oil begins to smoke or fond begins to burn. Transfer beef to the slow-cooker.
- Repeat with remaining beef and 1 tablespoon olive oil, then add to the slow-cooker.
- Add 2 teaspoons olive oil to the now-empty dutch oven if needed, add the onion and carrots. Cook, scraping bottom of pan to loosen any browned bits, until onion is softened, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until no dry flour remains, about 30 seconds.
- Slowly add the wine, scraping bottom of pan to loosen any browned bits. Increase heat to high and allow wine to simmer until thickened and slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Stir in the broth, bay leaves, thyme, and salt pork. Bring to simmer, then transfer to the slow-cooker.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours. 2 hours before eating remove the salt pork and add the potatoes.
- 20 minutes before eating stir in the peas. Season with salt and pepper and serve. Enjoy!
