Steaming, Hearty Choices Beef Stew With Cumin Seed for That Cold Winter Evening, or Sunday Afternoon

Stews are a very unique dish for several reasons.1 cup of red wine your choice I think a good merlot is
You can add the staple ingredients such as onions,best, and would be better served with the dish :)
potatoes and carrots. There is so much freedom to1 bay leaf
this dish that you can add different herbs, and other2 1/2 pints of beef stock or beef bouillion and water
vegetables that will make it your own. I use salt,mixture
pepper and flour in my stew to dredge the stew meat,1-2 tsp of cumin seed, or you can use ground but use
and then I sear the stew meat before I start braisingless about 1/2-1 tsp
which is a low and slow cooking method. This will help1 tsp. of chopped cilantro for garnish
thicken the stew and also give it flavor. I will give you aServes 6 - 8
very detailed set of cooking instructions. This will be anLets make Stew:
easy to follow recipe without much prep and cooking1. Heat your large braising pan or stew pot on med to
time in the kitchen. The afternoon will be yours to domed high heat.
with what you wish and dinner will be served on time,2. Take your stew meat and season with salt and
and will be a meal that everyone will enjoy.pepper and dredge/coat it in the flour.
This recipe has a little different twist to it. I have added3. If your pan is hot add the oil, and heat the oil for
cumin seed to this stew. I am sure you are probablyabout 20-30 seconds and then add your stew meat
wondering why? I love the flavor of cumin, and it hasand get a good browning on it.
the flavor stamp of Mexican, or as I like to say4. Take your wine and add it at this point but do it off
Texican. I am of course from Texas and I loveof the fire so it will not blaze up on you.
TEx-Mex food. I thought that I would take my stew5. Reduce the wine mixture by 1/2 or 3/4 and then
recipe and add some new zap to it. The cumin can beadd your onions and garlic until they are translucent.
omitted if you do not care for the flavor of it, as it is6. Add your carrots, potatoes, beef stock, cumin seed,
very distinct.sweet corn, and bay leaf at this time.
Ingredients list:7. Put the lid on your pot and turn down to a simmer.
3-4 pounds of stew meat cut into bite size cubesYou will simmer for about 1-2 hours or until your
1 1/2 c of all purpose flourcarrots are done. When the carrots are done the dish
1 Tbsp. of saltwill be fully cooked.
1/2 - 1 tsp of black pepper or to your taste8. When done you can add the cilantro as a garnish if
1/4 c of canola oilyou like to give it the extra added flavor from Texas.
4-6 russet potatoes depending on size you want9. Do not forget to remove the bay leaf.
about 2-3 cups of large diced potatoes, and the skinThis meal is excellent served with jalepeno cornbread,
can be left on if you desire. It will be more rustic.or a sweet cornbread. I hope that you enjoy this
3 carrots cut thick slices, un-peeled but washed if youSunday afternoon stew, or have it on a cold winter
likenight, as I have, and with many friends. It is a handy
1 large sweet yellow onion diceddish to complete when you would like to spend more
1 small can of sweet corn drainedtime out of the kitchen.
2-3 cloves of garlic minced