Prep: 15 Minutes Cook: 8-9 Hours Slow Cook Numbers of Serves: 8 Serves

autumn-beef-stew-american-homemade-recipe

Ingredients

  • 12 small red potatoes, halved
  • 1 pound carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large onion, cut into wedges
  • 2 pounds lean beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
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    Instructions

    1. Prepare the Base: Place potatoes, carrots and onion in a 5-qt. slow cooker.
    2. Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, brown the beef in butter. Transfer beef to slow cooker with a slotted spoon.
    3. Create the Thickener: Stir flour into the pan drippings until blended; cook and stir until browned.
    4. Simmer: Gradually add water. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
    5. Season: Add salt, parsley, celery seed, thyme and pepper; pour over beef.
    6. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender.

    For Nutritional And Health Benefits

    This delicious, hot dish is an excellent and balanced storehouse of nutrition for human health. The lean beef it contains is a superb source of protein, which is crucial for muscle strength, cell repair, and maintaining the body's energy. Red potatoes provide an adequate amount of carbohydrates, giving the body fuel to work throughout the day, while carrots are packed with vision-boosting vitamins and antioxidants. Onions and various herbs not only keep the digestive system in check but also strengthen the body's immunity. Because it's cooked slowly over low heat for a long time, all the vitamins and minerals from the ingredients remain preserved in the broth, making this food easily absorbed by the body. This combination of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables in a single pot makes it an ideal, complete meal that helps remedy anemia and restore energy to a weakened body.

    For Pro Tips And Substitute Ingredients

    The most important secret to making this traditional dish absolutely perfect, aromatic, and delicious is to brown the meat thoroughly in butter over low heat, because this process gives the broth a deep flavor. A common mistake is that some people try to cook it quickly over high heat to save time, which makes the meat tough and the vegetables mushy. Cooking it on low heat for eight to nine hours makes the meat as tender as butter. If you want to make this dish healthier and lower in calories, you can use olive oil instead of butter. Additionally, using sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes can increase its dietary fiber, and if you use whole wheat flour or cornstarch in place of regular white flour, it will make the broth lighter and easier to digest.

    For Serving And Storing

    This hot, aromatic dish is considered best served with freshly baked bread, crispy naan, or boiled brown rice. Adding a fresh salad of leafy greens and lemon doubles the enjoyment of the meal. If this dish happens to be leftover, there's a special way to store it. After letting the leftovers cool to room temperature, seal them in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator, where they will stay perfectly fresh for three to four days. When reheating, use the stovetop instead of the microwave, adding a little water or broth over low heat to keep it moist and prevent the vegetables from becoming soggy or the meat from losing its tenderness.