This is the best stew - I am always losing the recipe so I once again had to ask her for it (sometimes I don't even look I just ask) but I am going to post it here so I can always find it (just in case she's away from her laptop or recipe box when I need to make this)
Robin's Beef Stew
1 ~ 2 Lbs Chuck Roast cut up into 1: cubes/bites (don't do the precut stew meat this is worth the effort to cut it up yourself)
Mix 1 cup flour, salt, pepper in brown bag or plastic bag, shake to mix.
Put in beef one handful at a time and shake to coat. Shake off excess flour,and add another handful until all done.
Brown the coated beef in Olive Oil, enough to coat bottom of the pan thickly and heat until oil is shimmering. Sear in batches do not crowd (you will only steam the beef). You just want to brown a couple of sides, pull offwhen still pink/bloody. Dont overcook. Set aside batches in separate bowl.
In the pan you seared the beef, add 2 Tbs Butter melt, heat and sauté:
Onions 2 cups, sliced
Mushrooms 8 oz pkg, sliced
When onion is caramelized, and mushrooms not quite brown, add:
Carrots 3 Med/Large , sliced
Celery 2 stalks, sliced
Saute for about 5 minutes to soften
Pour in 1 cup Dry Red Wine (or beef stock if you don'tt want to use the wine but why wouldn't you) and loosen brown bits on bottom of pan. Reduce at a simmer to about 1/2.
When reduced:
Put Beef back in
Add Potatoes: 3 med, quartered or cubed your preference.
Add 1 cup stock +/- (chicken/beef/veggie) enough to just cover the beef/veggies.
Simmer for 1/2 hour.
Stir and add herbs 1/2 to 1 tsp of each (or not) of:Sage, Rosemary, thyme or marjoram. (I've lately gotten on a Sage Kick and really like the Sage: two parts to one of /thyme/Marjoram each.
Add Salt and Pepper to taste, add frozen peas if desired at this point and simmer for another 10 ~15 minutes to let herbs blend.
At this point you may or may not want to thicken it. If you do, I sprinkle in a little flour at a time and stir until just thickened. Another trick is to blend 1 Tbs of butter with 2 Tbs of flour and add that as a thickener.
Enjoy!
