Beef Stew with Fennel and Shallots

By TMarie

All parts of the fennel bulb are edible. Chop and sprinkle the feather-like leaves over the stew for added flavor and garnish.

Ingredients

• 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
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 cups 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

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from mayoclinic.com

Preparation

Step 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 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper, the thyme sprigs and the bay leaf. Saute for 1 minute. 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 and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Ladle into warmed individual bowls and serve immediately.



Calories 318 Monounsaturated fat 6 g
Protein 21 g Cholesterol 47 mg
Carbohydrate 36 g Sodium 677 mg
Total fat 11 g Fiber 6 g
Saturated fat 3 g