Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cubed
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 4 medium red potatoes, cubed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 fresh sprigs
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 small crusty round bread loaves, hollowed
Instructions
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
- Season beef with salt and pepper, then brown in batches until golden. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until soft. Stir in garlic and tomato paste.
- Return beef to the pot, pour in beef broth, and add potatoes, bay leaves, and thyme.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 2 hours until beef is tender.
- Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Hollow out the bread loaves and toast lightly if desired.
- Ladle hot stew into each bread bowl and garnish with herbs if you like.
Notes
- Brown the meat well for deeper flavor.
- Use day-old bread for sturdier bowls.
- The stew tastes even better the next day.
- Toast the inside of the bread to avoid sogginess.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
- Diet: Low Lactose
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bread bowl with stew
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: beef stew, bread bowl, hearty dinner, comfort food, stew recipe