(BlackDoctor.org) -- Mmmm....a steamy bowl of flavorful beef stew with fresh herbs, fennel and shallots on a cold night....what could be better than that? And it's healthy, too?
Even better!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
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3 tablespoons all-purpose (plain) flour
1 pound boneless lean beef stew meat, trimmed of visible fat and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil or canola oil
1/2 fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced vertically
3 large shallots, chopped (about 3 tablespoons)
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 fresh thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf
3 cups low-sodium vegetable stock or broth
1/2 cup red wine, optional
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
4 large red-skinned or white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
18 small boiling onions, about 10 ounces total weight, halved crosswise
3 portobello mushrooms, brushed clean and cut into 1-inch chunks
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
1. Place the flour on a plate. Dredge the beef cubes in the flour. In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the beef and cook, turning as needed, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the beef from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the fennel and shallots to the pan over medium heat and saute until softened and lightly golden, 7 to 8 minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper, the thyme sprigs and the bay leaf. Saute for 1 minute.
2. Return the beef to the pan and add the vegetable stock and the wine, if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer gently until the meat is tender, 40 to 45 minutes. Add the carrots, potatoes, onions and mushrooms. The liquid will not cover the vegetables completely, but more liquid will accumulate as the mushrooms soften. Simmer gently until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes longer. Discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Stir in the parsley, the 1/2 teaspoon salt and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
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3. Ladle into warmed individual bowls and serve immediately.
Note: All parts of the fennel bulb are edible. Chop and sprinkle the feather-like leaves over the stew for added flavor and garnish.
Nutrition
Per serving (1 cup): Calories 374, Protein 19 g, Sodium 733 mg, Carbohydrate 43 g, Fiber 6 g, Total fat 14 g, Potassium 1304 mg, Saturated fat 5 g, Calcium 60 mg, Monounsaturated fat 8 g
