How To Make The Best Casserole Stew

beef

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork

Chicken is leaner and often less expensive than beef.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is often more affordable and has a neutral flavor.

Peel and quarter 3 large brown or yellow onions, leaving the root intact for caramelization.

Wash and slice 3 medium sized carrots into 3 centimeter pieces, saving scraps for stock.

Slice 3 ribs of celery the same way as the carrots.

Crush 6 cloves of garlic using the side of a knife to activate flavor.

Roughly chop 5 grams of thyme for garnish (optional).

In a mixing bowl, add 1.4 kilos of diced beef and coat with 70 grams of plain all-purpose flour, ensuring no moisture remains.

Heat a large high-rimmed pan over high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Add the floured beef in batches, searing for 2.5 to 3 minutes per side until golden crust forms, then remove to a clean bowl to rest.

Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and repeat searing process with remaining beef.

Reduce heat to medium-high, add another tablespoon of olive oil, and sauté the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic for 4 minutes, stirring regularly.

Add 5 grams of whole thyme, sea salt flakes to taste, and 10 cracks of black pepper, continuing to sauté for 1 more minute.

Glaze the pan with 1 cup of red wine or beef stock, mixing to pick up stuck flavors, and allow to reduce for 2 minutes.

Add 2.5 tablespoons of concentrated tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to thicken.

Return the seared beef and any resting juices to the pan, adding 2.5 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, 1 liter of beef stock, and 3 bay leaves.

Mix well and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally.

Once boiling, cover with a lid or foil and transfer to a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for 1.5 hours undisturbed.

After 1.5 hours, remove from the oven, mix gently, and check for seasoning, adjusting with sea salt and black pepper as needed.

Return to the oven without the lid for a final 30 minutes to enhance flavor in the sauce.

Remove from the oven, mix gently again, and garnish with optional chopped thyme and flat leaf parsley before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens