Classic Beef Stew

Ingredients

• • 1kg beef chuck, cubed
• • 3 tbsp plain flour
• • 2 tbsp olive oil
• • 1 onion, diced
• • 3 carrots, chopped
• • 3 potatoes, chopped
• • 2 celery stalks, chopped
• • 3 cloves garlic, minced
• • 2 tbsp tomato paste
• • 1 litre beef stock
• • 2 bay leaves
• • 2 sprigs thyme
• • Salt
• • Black pepper

Method

1. Toss the beef in the flour, seasoned with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the oil in a large pot and brown the beef in batches, then set aside.
3. Cook the onion in the same pot for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
4. Return the beef to the pot and add the stock, bay leaves and thyme.
5. Cover and simmer gently for 90 minutes.
6. Add the carrot and potato and simmer for a further 45 minutes until the beef and vegetables are tender.
7. Season to taste and discard the bay leaves and thyme stalks before serving.