Recipes from the Ranch: DR Beef Stew

Howdy! Here's another beef recipe for this gloomy time of year in Maine... it's not cold outside, but not warm either. It is rainy and grey. Let this hearty stew warm you up with hopes of Spring!

Ingredients:

• (2) Beef Shank or Soup Bones

• 1/2 an onion, sliced

• minced garlic (measure with your heart)

• salt & pepper (1 tsp. of each, fresh ground is preferred)

• (1) package of stew beef (preferably from Dirigo Ranch)

• parsley (2 tsp), fresh/dried

• rosemary (2 tsp), fresh/dried

• thyme (2 tsp), fresh/dried

• (2) cups red wine (recommend: cabernet sauvignon)

• (2) cups beef broth

• Water to cover any remaining beef sitting in the pot

• (4) Carrots, peeled and chopped

• (1) package of pre-minced pancetta

• 1/2 a container of mushrooms (I went with portabellas but you can choose what you like), chopped

• Enough butter to brown and sauté the beef and onions

Tools:

• frying pan for browning and to sauté

• stove top/camp fire with dutch oven or simmer pot OR

• crock pot

What to do:

• Prep all of your veggies (carrots, onion, garlic, mushrooms) and measure out liquids (wine, broth, water)

• In the fry pan, add the butter, sliced onion, garlic, and pancetta. Let simmer until onions are soft.

• Add the thawed beef shank and stew beef on top of the onions and garlic, and brown (do this in phases in the pan is not large enough for all of the beef at once).

• Add all other ingredients to the pot/crock pot.

• Once the beef is browned, add all of the beef AND the onions/garlic/pancetta to the pot.

• If you want to improve the nutritional value of the stew, a bag of frozen veggies added to the mix is a great addition!

• Stir all well, and ensure that the beef is covered in the water/broth/wine mixture. Add water as needed to ensure beef is covered completely.

• Let it "stew" using the time instructions below:

Time:

Crock pot this on low heat for 8 hours while you're out doing chores or keeping busy at work! Can also be cooked on a stove top or over a fire in a large simmer pot/dutch oven but cooking time will be different than in the crock pot.

Pairs Well With:

Crusty toasted bread (sourdough or homemade is ideal) for dipping!

Enjoy!

*Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Always ensure your food is fully cooked to the right temp before consuming. If needed, stew for a longer period (depending on the temp of your fire or woodstove it could change the duration of the stewing time).