Description
Robust beef and barley stew combines rustic comfort with rich, savory flavors from traditional German cuisine. Slow-simmered ingredients meld together, creating a satisfying meal that warms souls and connects generations around one delicious pot.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 to 3 lbs (907 to 1361 g) chuck roast
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) low sodium beef broth
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced into thin rounds
- 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) medium barley
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) dried parsley
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp (5 ml) dried oregano
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) ground thyme
Instructions
- Searing Protein: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high temperature. Caramelize beef on all sides, creating a rich golden exterior that locks in deep flavors and develops complex taste dimensions.
- Aromatic Foundation: Transfer seared meat to a side plate. In the same pot, sauté chopped carrots, celery, and onions until they soften and release their natural sweetness, approximately 4-5 minutes. Introduce crushed garlic and dried herbs like parsley, oregano, and thyme, stirring to blend and awaken their aromatic essences.
- Liquid Integration: Return beef to the pot, pouring in beef broth and diced tomatoes. Add a bay leaf, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and allow ingredients to meld together, transforming the mixture into a harmonious stew for roughly 90 minutes until meat becomes extraordinarily tender.
- Grain and Vegetable Incorporation: Fold pearl barley and corn kernels into the developing stew. Continue slow cooking, enabling grains to absorb the rich, savory liquid while expanding with robust flavors.
- Final Preparation: Uncover the pot during the last cooking stage to reduce excess moisture and concentrate the stew’s essence. Remove beef, trim excess fat, and slice into appetizing bite-sized pieces. Reintegrate meat into the hearty mixture, ensuring perfect ingredient distribution. Serve steaming hot in waiting bowls, presenting a comforting and satisfying culinary creation.
Notes
- Optimize Meat Browning: Achieve deep flavor by ensuring each side of the beef develops a golden-brown crust, which locks in rich, caramelized taste profiles.
- Herb Infusion Technique: Gently stir dried herbs with vegetables to release maximum aromatic essences, creating a robust flavor foundation for the stew.
- Simmering Secret: Maintain low, consistent heat during the 90-minute cooking process to guarantee meat becomes incredibly tender and ingredients meld seamlessly.
- Liquid Reduction Trick: Remove the lid during final cooking stage to concentrate flavors and allow excess moisture to evaporate, intensifying the stew’s overall taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg