"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Monday, February 20, 2012

BEEF STEW



The story of the beef stew:

My hubby and I went to Whole Foods a couple weeks ago and we were looking at the beef display. The butcher started talking to us. He told us about this delicious beef stew he made from his home town of Italy. He said the secret ingredient was the herbes de Provence. When you save roast beef it all starts to taste the same and the flavors run together, but this herb does not allow the flavors to mix and that the stew would taste as good the fifth day as it did the first.

We looked at each other, bought the meat, and went and got all the ingredients.

We made it last Monday and we still were having it last Friday - it was delicious - it tasted better than the first day.

BEEF STEW

Ingredients:

1/3 cup all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds of boneless shoulder roast - cut into 1 inch cubes
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 cup chopped onions
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 cup dry red wine
3 cups beef broth
a can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained
1 tablespoon herbes de Provence
1 pound new potatoes, quartered
2 small zucchini, cult lengthwise in half, then crosswise 1/2 thick
2 small summer squash, cut lengthwise 1/2 thick
10 baby carrots
1/2 cup nicoise olives, pitted and cut in half (or Kalamata Olive)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
grated Parmesan cheese - optional

DIRECTIONS:

Combine flour, salt, and pepper, Reserve 1 tablespoon of flour mixture.
Lightly coat beef with remaining mixture.

Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot.
Brown half the beef and remover from stock pot.
Repeat with remaining oil and beef and remove.

Add onions and garlic to stockpot; cook 3 to minutes until onions are tender.
Add wine, increase heat to medium high.
Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, or until browned bits attached to stockpot are dissolved.

Stir in broth tomatoes, herbes de Provence, and reserved flour mixture.
Return beef to stockpot, bring to boil.
Reduce hear, cover tightly and simmer 1 1/2 hours or until beef is fork tender.

Add potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, and carrots to stockpot; continue simmering, covered, 15 to 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Add olives and basil; cook uncovered, 2 to 3 minutes.
Serve with cheese if desired.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:



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PS We finally heard from school number three. We are set up for an interview (the first one we have been invited too) on 2/27/12 at 2pm - they will test him and talk or interview us. So prayers on that day would be great and thanks so much in advance.

51 comments:

Pondside said...

Beef stew - mmmmm good - especially on a damp February day.

Melissa Ann Goodwin said...

this will be a lovely recipe to take on the road with us! Thanks so much :)

Lynn said...

That sounds really good. I have some Herbes de Provence - I'll try that.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Good luck w/ school #3!!

Beef stew isn't my favorite, but because my husband adores it, I make it once or twice a year :-)

Shelly said...

I drooled a little reading this recipe. Thank you for sharing! And, continued prayers on the school.

Shug said...

Sounds good to me...especially with this cool weather.
Fingers are crossed for school #3....
Blessings,
Shug

Wanda's Wings said...

Sounds yummy. I love beef stew. Good luck with school.

Anonymous said...

now thats some stew!! Yummo!
Will remember you in my prayers,

Jill said...

My prayers are starting today!

Knitty said...

Thanks for the recipe and know that you'll have my thoughts and prayers over this upcoming interview .

Linda @ A La Carte said...

This recipe sounds really yummy! I do love a good beef stew.

YAY for the interview! You know I will be praying my friend!

love you, Linda

Remington said...

LOVE beef stew! You will be in our thoughts and prayers....

MadSnapper said...

sounds good, did you have trouble finding the herbs de provence? would not even know where to look. I love that puppy pic at the beginning. and am praying now that this will be The School.

Lisa @ Grandma's Briefs said...

Oh, this would be the perfect thing to have on the stove about right now, warming up the house with surely delectable scents. If only I had some herbes de Provence. Have never used them but will now add them to the grocery list.

Have a warm and happy Monday.

Unknown said...

I love beef stew, looks like a different recipe than what I use, will have to try it. I am your newest follower, come follow me!

Inger said...

Perfect for a cold week in winter.

Anonymous said...

Prayers are on the way ^_^ Best of luck!
I feel a little like that little dog there today.
That stew sounds tasty, will have to try that sometime.
Have a lovely day my friend!
Big hugs

Eva

Belle said...

Love the dog photo! I'm making some stew this week so I'll have to try this recipe. Thanks!

sandy said...

That stew sounds delicious. I might copy that off and give it a try.

Susan said...

Hi Little Chickadee....So glad you've heard from school #3. That was good news. Yes, prayers will come.

Hope your day is terrific. And Sandie, love all your visits and comments to my blog. Susan

The Boston Lady said...

Yay for #3! Thoughts will be with you on the day.

Yum for the stew recipe. I use Herbs du Provence a lot. It especially is good on roasted chicken. I think this recipe sounds like one I will try. Ann

Unknown said...

Sure hope I will be able to find that seasoning! Are those kind of olives green or black? Thanks for sharing this!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Three's the charmer, Sandy...remember Goldilocks and the Three Bears?!!!!...:)JP

Ann said...

the stew sounds really good. Lots more to it than the way I make it.
Good luck with the school. Sending prayers your way

Ginny Hartzler said...

We LOVE beef stew!!!! You can disregard my e-mail, your blog is up and running, I don't know what happened!

Lynn said...

The stew sounds great! I honestly think butchers are the best salesman:@)

Bev said...

Beef stew...hubby's favourite.... I will need this in September...:)

CalamityJr said...

Can I come over for leftovers???

Marie said...

Sounds very tasty! I put red wine in my pot roast. I might have to try this recipe. :)

Feb. 27th sounds so familiar. Isn't that your birthday?? I've been thinking of your little man and I know it will work out for him. :)

Michaele said...

The stew sounds great - but a lot of work? Love the duckling photo and you certainly do have my prayers : )

Lois Christensen said...

The beef stew sounds really good. I've heard other people say good things about that herb also. Hope the interview goes well!!!

Buttercup said...

Prayers now and on the 27th! I've never known what to do with Herbes de Provence and the stew sounds wonderful.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Sandie, SO SO SO glad you have an interview at the school. I'll keep all of you in my prayers...

Love that photo about ATTITUDE... Attitude is my favorite word --and so important in all of our lives...

Thanks for the beef stew recipe. Sounds terrific.
Hugs,
Betsy

Debby@Just Breathe said...

It sounds wonderful. I wish I had a Whole Foods nearby. They have the bread I went to La Jolla to buy. That is great news on the meeting with the school.

Skoots1moM said...

sounds like a great stew...you've intrigued me to buy some herbs de provence

Jim said...

Your beef stew sounds really good, Sandie. I'm giving your recipe to Mrs. Jim. She made us some of the best chicken and sausage gumbo last week.

Thank you Lord, for the good news from 'school number three.' Please hear our prayers next Monday. This boy needs a good school!
..

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I love beef stew too, and now I am hungey
love
tweedles

Anonymous said...

I've actually never been a big fan of beef stew. I'm not overly fond of beef.

Fingers crossed that the interview goes well.

Sue said...

great sounding recipe....I'm always afraid though to go to Whole Foods....I always feel like you have to take out a second mortgage just to shop there....crazy prices...
Good luck with Andy's interview....it's your birthday that day isn't it....that will bring you good luck!! See you on the 28th....hugs...Sue.

Angela said...

That sounds so good Sandie! I've never had a beef stew with zucchini or squash in it before. I'll bet that was good! I'll have to make this sometime. It just sounds so good!

Hugs,
Angela

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

We have beef stew quite often but your recipe is totally different from the one we use. I want to try this one because of the different kinds of vegetables. I enjoy using herbs de Provence in many dishes. It adds a wonderful flavor to many foods. Thanks for the recipe...... shannon

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Beef stew sounds good. So glad to hear about the interview! Prayers will be said!!

Southhamsdarling said...

I've managed to sneak over and see you, courtesy of the wi fi in the local cafe!!Loved the little ducklings with the attitude! Mmmm! That beef stew sounds yummy, and I love meals that you can just go on eating for days. As you say, the taste just gets better and better! I will be praying for your grandson and the school. It must be a real worry for you. I really do pray that all goes well at the interview. Sorry I've missed so much lately, but I do appreciate you still stopping by at my place, and thank you so much for that recommendation for my skin. I am going to Google it and see if I can get hold of some. I'm willing to try anything - my irritation is all over and drives me up the wall!! Take care and sending hugs from across the pond.

Catherine said...

Monday was a holiday here. So now Tuesday feels like Monday. I still don't want to go to work. :(

Have a happy week!
xo Catherine

Tanna said...

Love a good beef stew. Thank you for sharing this one, Sandie! We'll be tuned in to the 27th. blessings ~ Tanna

Betty said...

OK...school number three! You know the expression...the third time is the charm. Prayers that all goes well on the 27th!

The beef stew sounds good, but I'll probably skip the olives. :)

Melanie said...

Praying all goes well for you in the interview, Sandie! :)

Sharon said...

Oh Sandie!

I just sent you an email, and I mentioned that I continue to pray for GS and his school situation. How blessed to read this initial answer to prayer.

I will continue to pray - and I know that God's hand is at work!

GOD BLESS!

Grandma Bonnie said...

I had planned grandpas beef stew for tomorrow. Well, I am going to try this instead. I am praying for you and your grandson. I can hardly wait to hear the results of the interview.

Starry Dawn said...

Oh!! Great post, Sandie!!
I'm definetely going to make that delicious recipe. I love cooking good tasty dishes...
Thanks for sharing your wisdom with the world, Sandie!!
God may bless you all!!
All the best,
Starry.

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Thanks for that advice about herbes de Provence. I bought some to make another recipe (one we didn't really care for) and wondered what I'd do with the rest of the jar. Now I know!