Mom's Beef Stew in a Bread Bowl: A Hearty and Comforting Meal
Warm up on a chilly day with a bowl of Mom's Beef Stew served in a bread bowl! This classic comfort food combines tender beef, hearty vegetables, and savory broth, all served in a crusty bread bowl for the ultimate cozy dining experience. Perfect for a family dinner or a casual gathering with friends, this hearty stew is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Let's dive into the recipe and create a meal that will warm both your body and soul!
Ingredients:
For the Beef Stew:
- - 2 pounds stew beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
- - Salt and pepper, to taste
- - 2 tablespoons olive oil
- - 1 onion, diced
- - 2 cloves garlic, minced
- - 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
- - 4 celery stalks, sliced
- - 4 potatoes, peeled and diced
- - 4 cups beef broth
- - 1 cup red wine (optional)
- - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- - 2 bay leaves
- - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- - 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- - Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- For the Bread Bowls:
- - 4 large round bread loaves (such as sourdough or French bread)
- - Butter, for brushing
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Beef Stew:
- Season the stew beef with salt and pepper, to taste.
- In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned beef and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add the sliced carrots, celery, and diced potatoes to the pot. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- If using frozen peas, add them to the stew during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
2. Prepare the Bread Bowls:
- While the stew is simmering, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Slice off the top of each bread loaf and hollow out the center, leaving a thick shell to hold the stew. Reserve the bread removed from the center for dipping.
- Place the hollowed-out bread loaves on a baking sheet. Brush the inside and edges of each bread bowl with melted butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the bread bowls are lightly golden and crisp.
3. Serve the Beef Stew in Bread Bowls:
- Once the stew is ready, discard the bay leaves.
- Ladle the hot beef stew into the prepared bread bowls, filling them to the top.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
- Serve the Mom's Beef Stew in Bread Bowls hot, with the reserved bread pieces for dipping.
Get ready to enjoy a comforting and satisfying meal with Mom's Beef Stew served in a crusty bread bowl. It's the perfect way to warm up on a cold day and indulge in the rich flavors of homemade comfort food!