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Beef Barley Stew

ChrisB , , , , ,

With rare exception every culture has their own soups and stews designed to utilize their environments’ bounty. Generally, soups and stews were designed around efficiency. Fuel was most precious to some cultures while others had a higher scarcity of edibles that led the way to slowly cooking down tougher cuts of meat and vegetables.

Stews come in all different styles, but there are a few common guidelines to stewing greatness. Primarily a liquid is required. This can come in the form of juice, stock, wine, beer, milk and even water. Most stews involve an animal protein of some sort whereas soups can often lend themselves very handsomely to vegetarian dishes. A mixture of vegetables, often root vegetables, boost the flavour profile all the more. Lastly, depending on requirements, some call for the addition of grains such as barley to offer an even greater source of energy to those who require them.

Ingredients:

2 Lb. stewing beef

1 cup each carrot, onion, celery

¼ cup dried barley

3 cups water

3 bay leafs

3 Tbsp. oil

Directions:

  • Heat oil in large pot, once heated brown stewing beef chunks
  • In a small saucepan add barley, bay leaves and enough 2 cups water. Cook until tender, about 30 min.
  • Brown vegetable medley in large pot after beef has been browned.
  • Remove bay leaves from barley, combine all remaining ingredients into large pot, cook for 1.5 hr. stirring regularly.

This really is home comfort food. A hearty stew, created with care, can draw everyone together on a winters’ night to share. Beef, carefully caramelized. A classic mirepoix of carrots, onions and celery builds the character and adds a vegetal sweetness to this dish. After a day in the cold, barley serves to bulk up this already heavy stew to leave you satisfied for hours to come. Nothing fancy, but satisfying to be sure, this homemade stew works as well during the week as it would on the weekend.

Soups and stews are a worldwide phenomenon. Each culture has their own styles that have evolved over time. A variety of foods combined, cooked and served in a bath of liquid is both simple to prepare and easily enjoyed. It is for that reason that soups and stews are known as comfort food. Be it your kids, your friends or that special someone in your life; almost everyone enjoys a good soup or stew.