594375 Sun Feb 08 05:17:00 -0800 2009 2 31 Home Cooking 0 4397696 I can't find a great beef stew recipe I made last year. I do remember it had worcestshire sauce (sp?) in it, and of course carrots and potatoes. Help! Sun Feb 08 05:17:00 -0800 2009 80198 knitterbetty 1 4398019 To me, stewing is a process or technique and once you have it down pat, you can alter seasoning, ingredients, types of meat, etc. Here is my basic recipe with suggestions: 2 lbs. beef chuck, cut in 1 1/2 in pieces, a few chuck bones as well 1/2 cup EVOO, divided 2 large yellow onions some flour for dusting 2 bay leaves 2-3 cups good quality beef broth 1 cup red wine, Merlot, Cabernet, etc. 16 oz. can whole tomatoes in juice s&p 3-4 garlic cloves, finely minced 1 T crushed/ground rosemary 3-4 large carrots, cut on bias in wedges 2 lbs. red potatoes, cut in half or quarters (your choice) 2-3 ribs celery, sliced 2 cups frozen peas (optional) 1 cup frozen pearl onions (optional) In large Dutch oven, brown chuck pieces and bones in EVOO till really brown and carmelized. Sprinkle with 3-4 T flour and minced garlic, s&p, bay leaves, rosemary, brown for another 5-10 minutes. Remove from pot, keep warm in large bowl. Brown onions till well carmelized, add celery, carrots, brown another 5-10 min. Add beef stock, tomatoes, wine. Tightly cover Dutch oven and cook over very low heat or in 300 F oven for 1 1/2 hours, stirring once or twice. Remove lid, add potatoes, cook another 30 min. Add frozen peas and onions (optional), simmer another 10 min. Variations: 1. 2 T Lea & Perrins Worchestershire sauce added with wine, stock, and tomatoes 2. Don't add peas, pearl onions, carrots, celery or potatoes, add 1 cup sour cream and 2T Hungarian paprika - goulash 3. Don't add peas, pearl onions, carrots, celery or potatoes. Add 1 cup rice, stir well every 10 min. 4. Add red, green, or other peppers to entire mixture, some chili powder to taste 5. Don't add peas, pearl onions, carrots, celery or potatoes. Add some sauteed muchrooms, one of combo of several variety. Serve over polenta, grits, couscous, etc. Beef stew will freeze well without addition of potatoes. Use a vacuum sealer (like Food Saver) for best results. Good Luck! Sun Feb 08 08:32:18 -0800 2009 4397696 15139 Diane in Bexley 2 4398454 thanks for taking the time to post that comprehensive recipe. I'm going to try it tomorrow and do the variation number one! Sun Feb 08 12:07:46 -0800 2009 4398019 80198 knitterbetty