Beef stew with onions

The beef stew with onions is a classic dish of Italian home cooking, which spreads a tempting aroma throughout the house as it simmers slowly. Here’s how to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 500 g of stewing meat (beef, veal, or others depending on preference)
• 3-4 medium-sized onions
• Flour as needed for dusting the meat
• Extra virgin olive oil
• White wine, about one glass
• Meat or vegetable broth as needed
• Salt and black pepper
• A few sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)
• 1 bay leaf

Preparation

1. Start by slicing the onions thinly and set them aside.
2. Take the meat and cut it into pieces if it is not already cut for stewing. Lightly flour it.
3. In a saucepan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the floured meat. Brown the meat on all sides until it is well browned.
4. Add the onions to the meat, put in the sprig of rosemary or thyme and the bay leaf. Cook for a few minutes.
5. Deglaze with the white wine and let the alcohol evaporate on a high flame.
6. After the wine has evaporated, add hot broth until the meat and onions are covered.
7. Lower the flame, cover with a lid and let it cook for at least an hour and a half, checking occasionally that the meat remains tender and the onions turn into a thick and flavorful sauce. If necessary, add more broth during cooking.
8. Taste and adjust salt and pepper according to taste.
9. Once the meat is tender and the sauce has reached the desired consistency, your stew is ready to be served.

Serve the stew hot and, if you like, sprinkle with a bit of chopped fresh parsley for a touch of color.

Fun Fact

The stew is a dish that belongs to the tradition of many Italian regions and every family has its own unique version. Some cooks add carrots and celery to the onions for a more aromatic sofrito, while others enhance the flavor with spices such as nutmeg or cloves.