Basic Beef Stew

Basic Beef Stew

Its been a while since I've made a beef stew. Grumpy will mention it every once and a while but because I'm not a too much of a beef stew person, its easy to not think about making it. However, when I was in the grocery store recently and was looking in the meat section, I saw that stew beef was on sale so I grabbed a package, thinking of Grumpy.

To me beef stew is basically pieces of beef with potatoes, carrots, peas, and onions in a gravy sauce. Seriously, that is what it is isn't it? When I told Grumpy I was going to "wing it" and just throw it together how I thought it should be, he became concerned. I didn't buy what he always used before I came into his life: Stew Starter. I don't have that kind of stuff in my cupboards. Not because I wouldn't use it, but because I don't think of using it! This girl was not brought up on quick and easy mixes so its not in my nature to think of using that stuff. As it is, it turned out quite flavorful and when Grumpy was done eating he even said "that was really good." He finished the left overs the next night and proclaimed that it was the best homemade one I've made. Well, well. Guess he shouldn't be so concerned about my cooking should he? You know what they say about the hand that feeds you....

Beef Stew

Heat non-stick skillet over medium heat. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Add stew beef, season with salt and pepper and cook until browned, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Add onion and garlic to the same pan you cooked the beef in and cook 3-4 minutes or until onion becomes soft. Add stew beef, beef broth, gravy master, potatoes, carrots, thyme and oregano to pan and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to low and gently boil the veggies until they are just tender. Add frozen peas and simmer just a couple more minutes. Mix the flour and water together until smooth then stir into gently boiling stew, it should thicken fairly quickly. I served this with some Naan bread the at I bought and then heated on the griddle just before eating. You will definitely want to serve this with some bread to sop up all the delicious gravy :-)