Introduction: Classic Beef Stew

By
About: I like to make stuff, play with small engines, pulley swap lawn tractors (you know, the need for speed on a budget)

Hello!

In this instructable I will be making a classic beef stew. This is a fairly simple recipe with a few tips and tricks to go along with with it. This is a really delicious and hearty meal that goes well with some peas and a bread roll. So read on and enjoy!

Step 1: First the Recipe (ingredients)

This recipe will do about 6 decent portions

750 g of meat or 1 kilogram depending on family size

1 large onion

2 carrots

About 20 mini potatoes (you can put more in depending on the family size)

1/2 cups of plain flour

1 beef stock cube

2 cups of hot water

1 540 ml can of chopped tomatoes (any variety will do)

1 tablespoon of ketchup (15 ml)

1 tablespoon of worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon of brown sugar

1 tablespoon of vinegar

1/2 a teaspoon of ground nutmeg

A sprinkle and salt and pepper

We also use a frozen sprig of thyme to go in the crockpot while it is cooking.

Step 2: Preparing the Meat

Our next step is dicing the meat into small cubes. Lay it out on a cutting board and carefully remove any large portions of fat, but don't remove it all because a little fat will give flavour. Next you have to roll it in flour. Put the flour into a big bag along with the salt and pepper and nutmeg. Next put the meat into the bag (the bag method is a lot less messy) and give it a good shake to coat the meat and then put aside.

Step 3: Carrots and Onions

Then we need to cut up the carrots and onions. First the onions, most of us know the first step, peeling! Take your big juicy onion and peel it and rinse it from time to time to prevent too much crying. Then chop the onion in half and take off the ends and start to cut both halves vertically like cutting a loaf of bread. Then cut both halves horizontally while holding the already cut pieces together. then chop vertically again but opposite way.

For the carrots it's easier. First peel them, then cut of the ends and cut into chunks. Then put both in a bowl and lay aside.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

For the sauce start with 2 cups of hot water. Next put in on beef stock cube and stir with a whisk until dissolved. Then get out a small dish and add the vinegar, worcestershire sauce, ketchup and if you're feeling adventurous put in two tablespoons of brandy (don't worry the alcohol evaporates and leaves a rich taste.) Then pour that mixture into the beef stock and add the brown sugar. Then stir until fully blended and put aside.

Step 5: The Stew

Next get out your crockpot. On high temperature you will get a meal in 4 hours, and on slow, 6-8 hours. The longer you cook it for at a low temperature, the more tender the meat. You can use frozen meat but it will take longer and you will have to put it on high. Then once your crockpot is turned on, rinse the potatoes and add the can of chopped tomatoes. Then take your floured meat and put on top of the tomatoes. Then add your carrots, onions and potatoes. Then add the sauce/stock until the top is just covered and on top a sprig of thyme. Then put on the lid, step back and take a rest.

Step 6: Take a Sniff

This my favorite step and is optional, but nothing beats the smell of slow cooked stew. Just be careful when opening the lid because the steam can burn you. Also only do this once because the steam helps cook the stew.

Step 7: Is It Done?

To make sure it's done, take out a potato and poke it, the fork should just slide through like butter. Do the same for the meat, it should just fall apart. Then take out the thyme and give it a stir.

Step 8: Serve It

Then get out some bowls and ladle the delicious stew into them. Some peas on the side and a bread roll will really go along nicely with this. As I said, this will do about 6 portions max.

The final step is to admire your hard work, sit down and eat this delicious Classic Beef Stew

ENJOY!

Ps. Don't forget to vote!