Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Best Beef Stew Ever


Ingredients:
  • 1 kg (2 pounds) sirloin cubes -- no browning required. (You may use less expensive beef, or a mixture of cubed sirloin and chuck, if on a budget, but the sirloin is best.)
  • Minced onion to taste
  • Celery (sliced to 1/2) 2-3 stalks
  • Carrots (I used bagged baby carrots), chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • Mushroom slices (optional, but good)
  • Taters (I use red potatoes so I don't need to peel them), cut into slightly larger than bite-sized pieces – figure 1.5 potato per serving.
  • Stewed tomatoes (I use 2-3 cans of DelMonte's “Italian Recipe” stewed tomatoes, but you can use any favorite store-bought or home-canned stewed tomatoes)
  • 2-3 bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper (I actually skip this because of the salt content in the tomatoes, but some just can't get away from this step.)
  • Ground clove (I prefer this to whole cloves, but to each his own.)
  • MINUTE tapioca pudding mix (dry, straight from the box), or equivalent
Directions:
  1. Put all but the last two ingredients into a crock pot or HEAVY stew pot.
  2. Sprinkle the clove on top, then dust the top uniformly with the tapioca (don't drown the stuff, but be generous).
  3. Cover and cook slowly, at low heat (325 degrees in the oven or on the low setting on the crockpot).
  4. Done when meat is tender, and even better reheated.
  5. Optional, for color: stir in cooked peas for the last few minutes.
Comments: Four generations of my family have enjoyed this. In a few years, I hope to be preparing it for a fifth generation!
Submitted by: Ceecee
christianity.about.com

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