Basic Beef Stew

Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 lb beef chuck, cubed
• 1 medium onion
• 3 large celery ribs, cut into medium size pieces
• 4 large carrots, cut into medium size pieces
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled & cut into medium size pieces
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 -4 cups water
• salt & pepper

Recipe

• 1 rinse meat, and pat dry with paper towel. sprinkle with salt & pepper, and dust with flour.
• 2 heat olive oil to medium-high/high in stew pot - i prefer lg le creuset dutch oven.
• 3 sear seasoned, floured meat -- approx 1 min per side -- stir with wooden spoon, once.
• 4 add onion to brown with meat -- brown is the goal, black becomes bitter!
• 5 toss in celery, 2 carrots, bay leaves, and water (start with 2 cups) -- water should hit a hot, sizzling pot.
• 6 stir with wooden spoon to help release seared sugars (the brown stuff) into water.
• 7 turn down to "low".
• 8 cover & simmer (or cook in oven) for 2 hours, minimum.
• 9 stir occasionally, adding water as needed.
• 10 20-30 minutes before serving, add potatoes & remaining carrots.