Beef Stew - Stove Top Method

Recipe Title:  Beef Stew with Herb Dumplings - Stove Top Method

By: Miriam Borys

Ingredients:

1 Italian hot sausage
2 cups beef chunks (cut from an eye of round beef roast)
3 potatoes (medium sized – white skinned)
1 onion
2 carrots
2 celery stalks
½ cup red wine
1 cup beef broth
1 cup diced tomatoes
½ cup water
1 cup reconstituted mushrooms & liquid
2 tbsp. flour

Pepper, Italian seasoning, sprig rosemary, sprig of fresh thyme

Prep: 

1. In a hot pan sauté beef cubes & Italian sausage.
2. Brown meat until caramelized.
3. Peel one onion and cut into large chunks, set aside
4. Peel 2 carrots and cut into large chunks, set aside
5. Wash and cut celery in large chunks, set aside
6. Peel garlic clove (use more garlic is desired) and dice & set aside 
7. When meat is brown add onions and sauté with meat.
8. When onions are transparent add flour to meat and onions and cook for 1 minute. The flour will absorb all the liquid. Turn heat to low.
9. Add wine to deglaze the pan. Stir until all caramelized bits are off the bottom of the pan. 
10. Add cracked pepper, tomatoes, water, beef broth, mushrooms and mushroom water.
11. Add celery, carrots and unpeeled potatoes.
12. Add herbs: rosemary, thyme, bay leaf and 1 tbsp. of Italian seasoning (mixed dry herbs)
13. Cook for approximately 30 minutes until vegetables are tender. 
14. Add dumplings and cook for 10 – 15 minutes more. (dumplings are not necessary but add to the heartiness of the meal)

Herb dumplings

1 ½ cups flour

1 tsp. Italian seasoning (mixed dry herbs)

1 tsp. baking powder

¼ cup frozen butter or margarine

¾ cup water

1. In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and herbs. 
2. Grate butter into flour mixture (or cut in with a pastry cutter) so that the butter is in tiny bits.
3. Mix butter into flour mixture until all butter is evenly cut into flour. 
4. Add water and stir until just combined. 
5. With a large spoon, drop ¼ cup portions onto the top of your stew. (see photo)
6. Cover and continue to cook on stove top for 10 – 15 minutes more.