Take the chill out of winter with a piping hot bowl of hearty beef stew. This recipe began with a version a friend gave me years ago. Since then, I’ve merged a few other recipes, based on my family’s tastes. As with most of my recipes, I improvise, so no two batches are ever the same. I only had a handful of my key ingredients on hand for my latest pot of stew. Regardless of which version I create, the result is usually Zabelicious.  I hope you’ll agree and savor every last drop in your bowl! It pairs nicely with a Cabernet, French Bordeaux or any full-bodied red wine. Serve with a crusty bread.

Beef Stew Recipe

Ingredients: 

• 2 lbs beef tenderloin (cubed)

• 1 red pepper (diced)

• mushrooms (small-whole, larger-sliced)

• 1 onion (diced)

• 1 clove garlic (minced)

• 3 potatoes (cubed)

• 8 carrots (sliced )

• 1 cup of green veggies (peas, green beans or asparagus-diced/sometimes I use a combo)

• 1 16 ounce can diced tomatoes

• 1 6 ounce can tomato paste

• 1 carton beef broth (or 4 cups water and bouillon cubes)

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1/2 cup sherry wine

• 3/4 cup red wine

• 3 Tbsp tapioca 

• 1 tsp sugar

• 2 tsp rosemary-add more to taste

• 2 tsp thyme-add more to taste

• 1 1/2 tsp marjoram

• 1 bay leaf

• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a crockpot or Dutch oven to slow cook at 250 for 6 hours. For faster cooking, turn the crockpot on high and cook for at least three hours. Stir occasionally and add more herbs and salt and pepper to taste.  

Zabelicious Tips:

• Use high quality meat with some fat marbling for flavor and slow cook for a tender taste.

• Prepare a day ahead, then refrigerate, alllowing flavors to blend and build overnight. Gently rewarm the next day. I add the green veggies last, because I prefer them al dente. 

• I used my new All-Clad Cast-Aluminum Nonstick Dutch Oven for this recipe, which performed beautifully for both cooking and clean up. I found mine on sale at Sur La Table.

*Food photography by Nate Dumlao. Follow him and his affiliate brand, Breville to discover more high end kitchen tools and appliances to cook like a pro.