Beef Stew

I can provide you with the recipe for beef stew, a comforting and tasty dish, perfect for a family dinner. Here is how to prepare it with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 700 grams of beef for stew (muscle or shoulder)
• 1 white onion
• 1 carrot
• 1 stalk of celery
• 2 cloves garlic
• 500 ml of tomato sauce
• 200 ml of red wine
• Beef broth as needed
• Rosemary
• Bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Flour, to dredge the beef if desired

Preparation

1. Start by cleaning and cutting the carrot, onion, and celery into small pieces. This combination of vegetables is known in cooking as “soffritto” and will be the foundation of your stew.

2. In a large saucepan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the garlic and the aforementioned vegetables until they have slightly softened.

3. If you want a richer flavor, you can dredge the cubed beef in flour before adding it to the soffritto. Add the beef pieces to the saucepan and brown them on every side, so that the juices are sealed inside.

4. Pour in the red wine and allow the alcohol to evaporate for a few minutes.

5. Add the tomato sauce, aromatic herbs (rosemary and bay leaves), salt, and pepper.

6. Cover with a lid and simmer over low heat for about 2 hours, adding beef broth as necessary to maintain the right level of liquid.

7. Let the stew simmer until the meat becomes tender and the sauce thickens. Adjust salt and pepper to taste at the end of cooking.

Curiosity

In Italy, it is common to serve beef stew accompanied by polenta, a dish that pairs perfectly with the rich and savory sauce of the stew for a complete and traditional gastronomic experience. Polenta can also be prepared with cheeses, such as gorgonzola, to add an extra touch of flavor.

Enjoy your meal!