Rustic Beef Stew

Beef Stew Instructions

1. Beef Stew Meat Instructions

   Select the chuck roast based on your liking.  Look for even marbling. I don’t like a lot of fat on my beef in stew or soup so I trim it, and I look for pieces where the veins of fat are very definable so they are easier to trim away, but don’t throw them, they are valuable pieces that I will show you how to use Cooking With Fat.

   First, trim the beef and cut it into large cubes from 1-2 inches each.  Nothing fancy just give them all an even size cut. Don’t cut them too small though or they will fall apart and all you will be able to make is chipped beef.  It would still be delicious but your choice of usage would start to narrow. But now that we’re talking about it, that sure does sound great with some loaded mashed potatoes or for a beef pot pie filling.  More on this later.

   Whether you are using a Ninja Foodi or a Dutch oven, saute the onions in the beef fat.  Add the garlic but be careful not to burn the garlic.  Sautee until garlic is lightly golden.

   Add wine and simmer this mixture until the wine is reduced by about half.

   In a separate 12-inch cast iron pan, melt 4 oz of beef fat on medium-high.   Dredge the cut beef pieces in seasoned flour.  You can try Autries, Kentucky Kernel, your favorite, or make your own.  What is important is that the beef is evenly coated with flour 

   Then add the dredged beef to the hot data and brown on all sides.

   Add browned beef and seasonings to the Foodi or Dutch Oven

   *Wine usage:  The use of wine is optional and adds a great flavor to the meat, but you can simply omit the wine and this step, and replace it with 1 cup of water.

   Foodi Method

   On the Foodi, put the pressure cooking lid on, lock it into place, and turn the steam valve to close.  Select pressure cook, set the time to 45 minutes, and hit the Start button. When the 45 minutes is over let the Foodi go on a slow-release for 15 minutes.  When 15 minutes pass,  move the steam valve to release and quickly let the rest of the steam out before opening the lid. DO NOT OPEN LID until all steam has been released and the red pop-up release indicator has dropped.

   Remove the insert pot from the Foodi and let it cool on the stove or rack. 

   Dutch Oven Method

   Preheat the oven to 350 F.

   Cook for 1 hour and reduce oven to 275 and cook for 3 additional hours.

    

   Mark as complete

2. Finishing the Beef Stew

   Start with a gallon of cold water in a 10qt stockpot.

   Add salt.

   Peel and dice the potatoes into large 1-inch cubes, and add the potatoes and carrots to the water. Bring water to a boil, and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.  Check the potatoes and carrots for tenderness.

   When the vegetables are tender, remove them from the water.

   Blanch the peas in the boiling water for 1-2 minutes when the vegetables are removed.  Remove peas and set them aside.

   In a separate pot, place the beef broth and batch of Beef Stew meat in the pot and bring to a simmer.

   Add vegetables and peas to the pot with the meat and beef stock and bring back up to a simmer. Then turn off the heat and serve.

   Mark as complete