Beef Stew

Serves people

Instructions

  1. In a large, heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, fry the bacon until only partly crisp. Remove bacon but leave fat.
  2. Combine flour and 1/2 tsp. salt. Dust the beef with the flour mixture.
  3. Add the oil to the bacon drippings and heat until almost smoking. Brown the beef on all sides, then remove from the pan. Pour off the excess oil, but don't wipe the pan.
  4. Lower the heat to medium. Add onions, garlic, and bell pepper, and cook until soft. Add the wine and bring it to a light boil. Stir the pot to dissolve the browned bits at the bottom into the wine. Let the wine boil for about five minutes.
  5. Add the tomato puree, beef stock, thyme, marjoram, bay leaf, black pepper, paprika and Worcestershire. Add the remaining salt, the beef and the bacon. Heat to boiling, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer gently, covered, for about an hour, stirring now and then. If the mixture seems to be getting dry, add a little more water or stock.
  6. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the carrots, potatoes, and turnip. Cook until tender--about 20 minutes. Drain, then add to the stew pot, along with the peas, mushrooms and parsley. Continue simmering until the mushrooms are tender and the starchy vegetables have begun to absorb the sauce.

Ingredient List