Beef Stew with Golden Herb Dumplings

Beef Stew with Golden Herb Dumplings

Ingredients:

For the Stew:

2 lbs beef chuck, cut into bite-sized pieces

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 large carrots, peeled and sliced

2 parsnips, peeled and chopped

3 medium potatoes, cubed

2 tbsp tomato paste

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

4 cups beef broth

1 cup red wine (optional, or use more broth)

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried rosemary

2 bay leaves

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

For the Dumplings:

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp cold butter, cubed

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or chives

1/2 cup milk

For Garnish:

Fresh chives, finely chopped

Instructions:

Sear the Beef:

Pat beef dry and season with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned. Set aside.

Build the Stew Base:

In the same pot, add onion and garlic. Cook until soft. Stir in tomato paste and flour, cook for 1–2 minutes. Slowly pour in wine and broth while stirring to deglaze the pot.

Simmer:

Return beef to the pot. Add carrots, parsnips, potatoes, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is very tender.

Make the Dumplings:

In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter with a fork or fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in chopped herbs and milk to form a sticky dough.

Cook the Dumplings:

Drop spoonfuls of dough on top of the simmering stew. Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes without lifting the lid, until dumplings are cooked through and fluffy. Optional: Uncover for the last 5 minutes to slightly crisp the tops.

Finish and Serve:

Remove bay leaves. Ladle the stew and dumplings into rustic bowls and garnish with fresh chopped chives. Serve hot with crusty bread if desired.

This dish is the essence of cozy comfort—tender beef, rich broth, soft vegetables, and pillowy golden dumplings to soak it all up. Perfect for chilly days or whenever you need a taste of home. 🥣🍂