Hearty Country Beef Stew
This Hearty Country Beef Stew is a delightful adaptation from a classic Marsha Adams cookbook, crafted to embrace my family's flavor preferences. It's the epitome of comfort food, perfect for cold winter nights. The rich aroma wafting through the house as it slowly cooks in the oven is simply irresistible. With tender chunks of beef, vibrant vegetables, and a medley of herbs, this stew promises a deliciously nourishing experience. Despite its lengthy ingredient list, preparation is a breeze, making it an ideal dish for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings. Pair it with warm homemade buttermilk biscuits for a truly satisfying meal that warms both body and soul.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Stew meat
2 lbs (Cut into bite-sized pieces.)
Red potatoes
4 large (Cut into chunks slightly larger than the meat.)
Carrots
4 (Peel and cut into 1-inch pieces.)
Celery
2 stalks (Cut into 1-inch pieces.)
Onion
1 large (Peel and cut into 1-inch pieces.)
Frozen peas
1 cup (No preparation needed.)
Diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can (No preparation needed.)
Water
2 cups (No preparation needed.)
Beef bouillon cube
1 (No preparation needed.)
Minute tapioca
4 tablespoons (No preparation needed.)
Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons (No preparation needed.)
Brown sugar
1 tablespoon (No preparation needed.)
Salt
1 teaspoon (No preparation needed.)
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (No preparation needed.)
Allspice
1/8 teaspoon (No preparation needed.)
Marjoram
1/4 teaspoon (No preparation needed.)
Thyme
1/4 teaspoon (No preparation needed.)
Bay leaf
1 (No preparation needed.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
2
Cut the stew meat into bite-sized pieces, ensuring even cooking.
3
Wash and cut the red potatoes into chunks slightly larger than the beef pieces for optimal texture.
4
Peel the carrots and onion, then chop the celery, carrots, and onion into one-inch pieces for consistent cooking.
5
In a large Dutch oven, combine the beef, potato chunks, carrots, celery, and onion.
6
Add the frozen peas, diced tomatoes (including juice), water, beef bouillon cube, tapioca, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, allspice, marjoram, thyme, and bay leaf.
7
Stir the mixture gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
8
Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and place it in the preheated oven, baking for 5 hours without stirring.
9
Once done, remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
10
Serve hot alongside freshly baked homemade buttermilk biscuits for an extra touch of comfort.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Country Beef Stew?
Hearty Country Beef Stew is a comfort food dish featuring tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and a medley of herbs, adapted from a Marsha Adams cookbook.
How long does it take to cook this stew in the oven?
The stew needs to bake in a preheated oven for 5 hours.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 300°F (150°C).
Do I need to stir the stew while it is baking?
No, you should bake the stew for 5 hours without stirring.
What kind of beef is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 pounds of stew meat cut into bite-sized pieces.
What type of potatoes are best for this stew?
The recipe specifies using 4 large red potatoes.
How should I cut the potatoes?
The red potatoes should be washed and cut into chunks that are slightly larger than the beef pieces.
How should the carrots, onion, and celery be prepared?
Peel the carrots and onion, then chop the carrots, onion, and celery into one-inch pieces.
Are there any frozen vegetables in this stew?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 cup of frozen peas.
Do I include the juice from the diced tomatoes?
Yes, add the 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes including their juice.
How much water is added to the Dutch oven?
You should add 2 cups of water.
What is used to thicken the stew?
4 tablespoons of Minute tapioca are used as a thickening agent.
What spices and herbs are included in the recipe?
The recipe uses salt, black pepper, allspice, marjoram, thyme, and one bay leaf.
Is there sugar in the stew?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
What liquid seasonings are added?
2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce are added for flavor.
Should the meat be seared before adding it to the Dutch oven?
The instructions do not require searing; simply combine the bite-sized beef pieces with the other ingredients.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Serve the stew hot alongside freshly baked homemade buttermilk biscuits.
How many ingredients are in this Hearty Country Beef Stew?
There are 18 ingredients in total.
What equipment is needed to cook the stew?
A large Dutch oven with a lid is required for baking.
Does the stew need to rest after cooking?
Yes, let the stew rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven before serving.
How much beef bouillon is used?
One beef bouillon cube is added to the mixture.
Is this recipe considered easy to prepare?
Yes, preparation is described as a breeze despite the lengthy ingredient list.
What is the flavor profile of the stew?
It is a rich, nourishing, and savory stew with a medley of herbs and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar.
What is the inspiration for this version of beef stew?
It is an adaptation of a recipe from a Marsha Adams cookbook, adjusted for family flavor preferences.
Is this recipe good for winter?
Yes, it is described as the epitome of comfort food and perfect for cold winter nights.
How much marjoram and thyme should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of marjoram and 1/4 teaspoon of thyme.
How much allspice is included?
The recipe uses 1/8 teaspoon of allspice.
What size should the carrots be chopped?
Carrots should be cut into one-inch pieces.
How many stalks of celery are needed?
The recipe requires 2 stalks of celery.
Can this be served for busy weeknights?
Yes, its easy preparation makes it ideal for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings.