11-16 Beef Stew

Though I rarely crave beef, a really great stew hits the spot once in a while.
Serve with hot, fresh bread. Its especially good on a dark, stormy night.

There are many recipes so feel free to experiment with what you have on hand.

Sauté the hard vegetables in dutch oven or skillet:
3 T olive oil
1 onion, chopped or sliced
2 cloves garlic
maybe a carrot or two, sliced

Meanwhile, toss and coat well:
2 lbs beef, cut into cubes
salt and pepper or seasoned salt or steak seasoning
about 2 T flour
Then add coated beef to pot.
also add in herbs like:
fresh rosemary, chopped
fresh thyme, chopped
consider a bay leaf or two...
Stir occasionally to brown all sides of beef.
Then add: (if you used your skillet, transfer everything to a large soup pot now)
3-4 c beef broth (you want everything covered) many use apple juice or red wine as part of the liquids.
Stir to scrap off bits from bottom of pot. Add the softer vegetables next, like:
1 lb pumpkin cubed OR 1 can pureed pumpkin Or potatoes or....
1/4 c sun dried tomatoes in oil or fresh tomatoes or corn or...
Bring to a boil and then simmer for about one hour.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley to serve.