Herby Beef Stew Food

HERBY BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large saucepan; add the onions and carrots and cook over a medium heat for about 8 minutes, until softened and lightly browned.
• Remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate or dish and reserve.
• Add another 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and add the beef cubes.
• Increase the heat and cook until the meat is browned all over.
• If necessary, fry the meat in batches to ensure it browns evenly; season to taste.
• Return the vegetables to the pan and stir in the flour and the remaining oil.
• Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
• Add the beef stock, coffee, oregano and bay leaf.
• Bring to a boil and cook, stirring often, until thickened; reduce the heat to very low.
• Cover the pan and allow the stew to simmer very gently for at least 1 or 1½ hours until the beef is tender.
• Add the peas and simmer for a further 5-10 minutes.
• Discard the bay leaf; taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
• Serve hot with mashed potatoes.

WINTRY BEEF VEGETABLE STEW WITH FLUFFY HERB DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Cook and stir beef in shortening in heavy 8-10 quart stock pot, until beef is well browned. (Note: If too much liquid builds up to prevent adequate browning, pour off excess liquid into a bowl and reserve. Continue to brown the beef and when well browned, add the reserved liquid back into the pot.).
• Add 5 cups hot water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the black pepper.
• Heat to boiling; reduce heat.
• Cover and simmer until beef is almost tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Stir in potato, turnip, rutabaga, carrots, green pepper, green beans (if using), celery, onion, bouquet sauce, the bouillon cube and bay leaves.
• Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender (but do not overcook), stirring once, about 25 minutes.
• Prepare dough (see below) for Dumplings; set aside.
• Using a fork, blend together 1 cup cold water and the 4 tablespoons flour in a small mixing bowl; stir gradually into stew.
• Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.
• Boil and stir 1 minute; reduce heat.
• Do ahead tip: After boiling and stirring 1 minute, stew can be covered and refrigerated no longer than 48 hours. To serve, heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Continue as directed.
• DUMPLINGS:.
• In a large bowl, cut shortening into combined flour, baking powder, salt, parsley and herbs until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
• Stir in milk.
• Drop by heaping tablespoons onto hot meat or vegetables in boiling stew (do not drop directly into liquid).
• Cook uncovered 15 minutes.
• Cover and cook about 15 minutes longer. Cut a dumpling in half to test for doneness; you want them done but not dry!
• Serve stew piping hot, with a buttered baguette and a glass of cider, ale, or wine. As with all good stews, this stew is even better reheated the next day, after flavors have had a chance to meld. Stew leftovers freeze and reheat beautifully, and would make a delicious cottage or shepherd's pie.

HERBED BEEF STEW

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, brown meat in oil. Add the water, onion, seasonings and tomato paste. Cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until meat is tender. , Stir in potatoes, carrots and green pepper; simmer 30 minutes. Add additional water if necessary. Stir in remaining ingredients; cover and simmer 20 minutes.

BEEF STEW WITH HERB DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 150ºC (130ºC fan) mark 2. Heat 1tbsp oil in a flameproof casserole dish and brown the beef in batches. Set aside. Add remaining oil to the pan and gently fry the onions and carrots for 10min until softened. Add swede and cook for 2min. Return beef to pan, sprinkle in flour and cook for 1min. Gradually stir in the Guinness and stock. Add sugar, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf and thyme; bring to the boil. Cover and cook in the oven for 3hr.
• To make the dumplings, sift the flour, baking powder, mustard and ½tsp salt into a bowl. Stir in the suet and mixed herbs. Using a flat-bladed knife, stir in around 150ml (¼ pint) cold water to make a soft but not too sticky dough. Divide dough into 12 and roll into balls. Drop on to stew, spaced evenly apart. Cover and cook for 20min until puffed up. Remove lid and return to the oven for 5min to finish cooking dumplings.