Ingredients

For the Beef Stew:

• 700 g beef (preferably stewing cuts like chuck or brisket), cubed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 150 ml warm milk

Directions

1. Preparing the Ingredients:
   • Cut the Beef: Begin by cubing the beef into bite-sized pieces. Stewing cuts like chuck or brisket are ideal for this stew because they become tender and flavorful as they cook.
   • Prepare the Vegetables: Peel and cube the potatoes into similar-sized chunks to ensure they cook evenly. Slice the carrot into rounds, finely chop the red onion, and mince the garlic cloves.
2. Searing the Beef:
   • Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the butter. Let it melt and become slightly bubbly, then add the cubed beef.
   • Sear the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Brown the beef on all sides, which will help lock in the flavor and create a deeper, richer broth later. Once browned, remove the beef and set it aside.
3. Cooking the Vegetables:
   • In the same pot, add the chopped onions and cook for about 5 minutes until they soften and begin to caramelize. Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
   • Add the sliced carrot and minced garlic, cooking for another 2 minutes, allowing the garlic to release its fragrance.
4. Adding the Tomato Paste:
   • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute, allowing it to darken slightly and deepen in flavor. This step is crucial, as the tomato paste will add a rich umami flavor to the stew.
5. Simmering the Stew:
   • Add the seared beef back into the pot along with the cubed potatoes. Pour in 150 ml of warm milk and enough water (or beef broth) to just cover the ingredients. Stir to combine.
   • Bring the stew to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 1 hour. Stir occasionally and skim any impurities from the surface.
   • After 1 hour, check the beef for tenderness. If it’s not yet tender, continue to simmer until the beef is fork-tender and the flavors are well combined.
6. Adding Sour Cream:
   • Once the beef is tender and the potatoes are cooked through, stir in 2 tablespoons of sour cream. The sour cream will add creaminess and a tangy balance to the stew’s flavors.
   • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding salt and pepper to taste. If you prefer a richer flavor, feel free to add an extra spoonful of sour cream.
7. Garnishing and Serving:
   • Garnish the stew with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
   • Serve the stew hot with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth or over a bed of rice for a more substantial meal. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 350 kcal
• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fat: 15g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g

The Importance of Beef Cuts: Choosing the Right Meat

The key to a great beef stew lies in selecting the right cut of beef. While you may be tempted to use tender cuts like sirloin or rib-eye, the best results are achieved with tougher cuts that benefit from long, slow cooking. Stewing cuts like chuck, brisket, or round are ideal because they have a higher amount of connective tissue, which breaks down as the stew simmers. This slow cooking process transforms these cuts into tender, melt-in-your-mouth pieces of beef.

Chuck roast is one of the most popular cuts for beef stew due to its marbling of fat, which keeps the meat juicy and flavorful during the long cooking process. Brisket, another fantastic choice, offers a slightly firmer texture but still breaks down beautifully with slow cooking, making it an excellent addition to the stew.

When cubing the beef for this recipe, it’s important to cut the pieces into uniform sizes to ensure they cook evenly. A well-seared piece of beef adds both flavor and texture, creating a deeper broth while helping the meat retain its juiciness.

Building Layers of Flavor: The Vegetables

A beef stew wouldn’t be complete without its vegetables, which add both depth and freshness to the dish. Potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic are the traditional vegetable base for a classic stew, each playing a distinct role in the overall flavor profile.

Potatoes: The Heart of the Stew

Potatoes are the perfect addition to any stew because they absorb the flavors of the broth while contributing their own mild, comforting taste. In this recipe, the potatoes are peeled and cubed into bite-sized pieces. When cooking potatoes for stew, it’s essential to choose a waxy variety, such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes, which hold their shape well during cooking. These potatoes create a thickened broth as they release some of their starch, giving the stew a rich, velvety texture.

Carrots: A Touch of Sweetness

Carrots add a natural sweetness and color to the stew. When cooked slowly, carrots release their sugars into the broth, subtly balancing the savory flavors of the beef. For this recipe, slicing the carrots into rounds ensures they cook evenly and absorb all the delicious flavors of the stew. A word of advice: try not to cut the carrots too small, as they will disintegrate and lose their texture after long cooking times.

Onions and Garlic: The Flavor Builders

Onions and garlic serve as the backbone of the stew’s flavor. The onions are sautéed until softened and slightly caramelized, which enhances their natural sweetness and creates a deep, savory base for the stew. Garlic, added at the right moment, gives the stew a fragrant, aromatic quality. Together, these ingredients create the perfect foundation for the dish.

Sour Cream: The Finishing Touch

Sour cream is added at the end of the cooking process, giving the stew a creamy, tangy richness that elevates the entire dish. It helps to balance the deep flavors of the beef and vegetables, creating a smooth, velvety texture. The sour cream also adds a slight acidity, cutting through the richness of the beef and creating a more balanced final dish.

Building the Broth: Tomato Paste and Seasoning

A good beef stew requires a flavorful broth that carries the essence of all the ingredients. Tomato paste is a key element in this recipe, as it adds depth and umami to the broth. Cooking the tomato paste for a minute or two before adding the liquid allows it to darken and develop a richer flavor, which complements the beef and vegetables.

Seasoning the broth with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs like parsley ensures that the flavors are well-balanced. You can also experiment with adding a pinch of paprika, thyme, or bay leaves to give the stew a bit of extra complexity. Fresh herbs add brightness and enhance the overall flavor profile of the stew.

Slow Cooking: Letting the Stew Develop Flavor

The key to a perfect beef stew lies in the slow simmering process. Once the beef is seared and the vegetables are added, it’s important to let the stew cook for a long period of time on low heat. This allows the beef to become tender and for the flavors to meld together.

While this stew can be made in a standard pot, using a Dutch oven or slow cooker will help retain heat and moisture, creating a perfect stew every time. Slow cooking allows the beef to break down into tender chunks, while the vegetables absorb the savory, meaty broth.

Variation Ideas: Customize Your Stew

While this recipe is a classic, there are plenty of ways to customize the beef stew to suit your tastes:

• Add Red Wine: For a deeper, richer flavor, you can deglaze the pot with a splash of red wine after browning the beef. The wine will add acidity and a beautiful depth to the broth.
• Add Root Vegetables: If you like, you can swap or add other root vegetables like parsnips, turnips, or sweet potatoes for a unique flavor.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of chili flakes or some diced jalapeños to the stew to bring a spicy twist to the traditional recipe.

Conclusion: A Hearty Comfort Food Staple

Beef stew is one of those timeless dishes that has the power to bring comfort and satisfaction with every spoonful. The combination of tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth makes it an ideal meal for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy family dinner or prepping for a week of meals, this stew is sure to become a favorite.

By following these simple steps and tips, you’ll be able to create a beef stew that is both nourishing and flavorful. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity, allowing the ingredients to shine while providing warmth and comfort. As you enjoy your bowl of homemade stew, remember that the heart of this dish lies in the time and care you take to bring out the best in each ingredient. It’s a dish that is as much about tradition as it is about creating something delicious from the heart.