A bowlful of this delicious stew is the perfect comfort food on a cold and dreary winter day!
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons canola oil
4 cups water
5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 medium onions, chopped
1-1/2 cups sliced carrots (1/2-inch pieces)
1 cupchopped celery
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Browning sauce, optional
DUMPLINGS:
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
3 tablespoons shortening
3/4 cup milk
In a resealable plastic bag, combine flour, salt and pepper. Add beef a few pieces at a time and shake to coat. In a Dutch oven, brown meat in oil. Add water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1-1/2 hours.
Add the vegetables, parsley, thyme and bay leaf. Cover and simmer until meat and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Add browning sauce if desired.
For dumplings, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, thyme and sage. Cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk until moistened.
Drop by heaping tablespoons onto simmering stew. Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in a dumpling comes out clean (do not lift cover while simmering). Serve immediately. Yield: 10-12 servings.
Recipe and photo are from Taste of Home magazine. Recipe has been attributed to Anna Broschart, Elkins, West Virginia.
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