Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

Serves: 4

Hosea Feil

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

54

Spice

43

Sweetness

46

Sourness

37

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.7

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2.5 cups

Beef Stock

1 tbsp

Tomato Paste

Directions:

1

To marinate the beef, place the cubes in a large glass or stainless-steel bowl

2

Add the wine, carrot, celery and onion

3

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight

4

Line both a baking sheet and a large plate with paper towels

5

With a slotted spoon, remove the beef from the marinade and transfer to the prepared baking sheet

6

Pat the meat dry with paper towels

7

Strain the marinade, reserving separately both the vegetables and the liquid

8

To cook the beef, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat

9

Add the bacon and cook until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crisp, about 5 minutes

10

Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to the prepared plate to drain

11

Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat from the skillet

12

Decrease the heat to medium, add 2 tablespoons of the canola oil and heat until shimmering

13

Season the beef with salt and pepper

14

Add the beef to the skillet in two or three batches (don't crowd the pan) and sear until it is nicely browned on all sides, about 5 minutes; transfer to the prepared baking sheet when done

15

Set aside

16

Add the reserved vegetables from the beef marinade to the skillet and cook until they start to brown, 5 to 7 minutes

17

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and toss again to lightly coat

18

Cook, stirring constantly, until the flour turns brown, 2 to 3 minutes

19

Transfer the vegetables and beef to the insert of a slow cooker

20

Add the reserved marinade liquid and enough stock to barely cover the meat

21

Add the bouquet garni, tomato paste and garlic and stir to combine

22

Cover and cook on high heat for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours

23

(Alternatively, you can cook the stew without a slow cooker: Instead of cooking the bacon and beef in a skillet, simply start in a large Dutch oven and do not transfer the vegetables and beef

24

Cover the Dutch oven and place in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F until the meat is tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours

25

) Remove and discard the bouquet garni

26

Add the mushrooms and continue to cook until tender, about 30 minutes

27

Stir in the reserved bacon

28

Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper

29

Serve piping hot with noodles, potatoes or rice

30

Or, better yet, cool, refrigerate and reheat to serve the next day