California Settlers Stew Recipes

CALIFORNIA BEEF STEW

Steps:

• In 6 quart dutch oven over medium-high heat fry bacon until crisp and then push bacon to side of pan.
• To drippings in pan, add stew meat and cook until well browned.
• Stir in one cup water, wine and next six ingredients; heat to boiling.
• Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 2 1/2 hours or until meat is fork tender, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile in a covered 2 quart saucepan over high heat, in about 1 inch boiling, salted water, cook onions ten minutes; add mushrooms and cook 4 more minutes and then drain.
• Blend cornstarch and 3 tbsps. water; stir into stew and cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened.
• Add onions, mushrooms, frozen peas and olives and cover.
• Cook 10 minutes or until peas are fork tender.
• Serve and enjoy!

CLASSIC BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Generously season beef with salt and pepper. Dust with flour and shake off excess. Heat a Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high, and swirl in 2 tablespoons oil.
• Add half of beef in a single layer and cook, turning a few times, until browned in places, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate, leaving fat in pot. Brown remaining beef; transfer to plate.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Swirl remaining 1 tablespoon oil into pot, still over medium-high heat. Cook onions until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, until caramelized, 1 minute. Add Worcestershire sauce and wine; boil until mostly evaporated.
• Return beef and any accumulated juices to pot with broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Cover pot, transfer to oven, and cook 1 1/2 hours. Remove pot from oven and stir carrots and potatoes into stew. Cover and continue cooking in oven until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are easily pierced with the tip of a knife, about 1 hour more. Stir in peas; return to oven for 5 minutes more, just to heat through.
• Ladle stew into shallow bowls, sprinkle with parsley, and serve. Cooled stew can be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated up to 2 days, or frozen up to 3 months.

CALIFORNIA BEEF STEW

Steps:

• 1. In large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, fry bacon until crisp; push bacon bits to side of pan. To drippings in pan, add stew meat and cook until well browned. Stir in wine, broth and next 4 ingredients; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 2-1/2 hours or until meat is fork-tender, stirring occasionally.
• 2. Meanwhile, in covered, medium saucepan over high heat, in about 1 inch boiling salted water, cook onions 10 minutes; add mushrooms; cook 5 more minutes; drain.
• 3. In small bowl, mix cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water until blended; stir into stew and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened. Add onions and mushrooms, frozen peas and olives; cover and cook 10 minutes or until peas are fork-tender.