Hearty Beef Vegetable and Barley Stew

This Beef, Vegetable and Barley Stew is one of the most comforting meals. With tender chunks of beef, a concentrated broth, potatoes and barley, it’s very hearty and rich. Chock full of more vegetables – onions, celery, carrots, garlic, tomatoes and mushrooms, this stew does not disappoint.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef, chopped into 1-inch pieces (Chuck recommended)
• 1 tablespoon butter or oil
• 1 onion, minced
• 3–4 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2–3 celery stalks, sliced
• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 dry bay leaf
• 2–3 potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped (optional)
• 1/3 cup pearl barley
• 8–10 cups broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable)
• 6–8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1–2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Cooking Method:

1. Beef Preparation: In a Purely stockpot, place the beef and cover it with enough water to submerge it by an inch. Season with salt. Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cooking covered until the beef is fork-tender (approximately 1 – 1 1/2 hours). Skim off any impurities that rise to the top with a slotted spoon. Strain the cooked beef, reserving the broth for later use.
2. Vegetable Base: In a Purely Dutch oven, heat butter or oil and sauté minced onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 7 minutes on medium-low heat until the vegetables soften and begin to turn golden.
3. Building the Stew: Add the dry bay leaf, potatoes, and optional tomatoes (or tomato paste) to the reserved broth. Bring it to a boil, then add barley and cook for approximately 20 minutes.
4. Final Additions: Introduce the sliced mushrooms, cooking for an additional 10 minutes, then discard the bay leaf. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
5. Assembling the Stew: Once the beef reaches fork-tenderness, add it to the stew. Adjust the stew’s consistency by adding more broth if desired. Stir in fresh parsley.
6. Serving and Storage: This Purely-cooked beef stew is perfect for leftovers and freezes well. Prepare a large batch for future enjoyment.

Enjoy your comforting Purely-cooked hearty beef stew, a nourishing dish perfect for any occasion and ideal for freezing for future meals!