Hey there, foodies! Today, I’m going to talk about one of my all-time favorite winter dishes: hearty beef stew. There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of stew on a chilly day, and this classic recipe never fails to hit the spot.

The Ingredients

Before we get started, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this delicious stew:

• 2 pounds of beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 3 stalks of celery, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 cup of red wine
• 4 cups of beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1 pound of potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• Salt and pepper to taste

The Steps

Now that we have our ingredients, let’s get cooking:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
4. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Add the tomato paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
6. Return the beef to the pot and add the red wine, beef broth, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour.
7. Add the potatoes to the pot and continue simmering until the potatoes are tender and the meat is cooked through, about 30-45 minutes.
8. Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste.

The Result

And that’s it! You now have a delicious pot of hearty beef stew ready to be enjoyed. This recipe is perfect for a cozy night in or for feeding a crowd. Serve it with some crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a complete meal. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

So next time you’re in the mood for something warm and satisfying, give this classic dish a try. Your taste buds will thank you!