Hearty Finnish Sailor's Stew

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef chuck, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) beef chuck, cubed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 parsnips, peeled and sliced 2 parsnips, peeled and sliced
• 2 turnips, peeled and cubed 2 turnips, peeled and cubed
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups (950ml) beef broth 4 cups (950ml) beef broth
• 1 cup (240ml) red wine (optional) 1 cup (240ml) red wine (optional)
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 8g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the beef cubes and brown them on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
2. 2.
   In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the carrots, parsnips, turnips, and potatoes to the pot. Stir and cook for a few minutes until slightly softened.
4. 4.
   Return the beef to the pot and add the bay leaves, dried thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the ingredients with the spices.
5. 5.
   Pour in the beef broth and red wine (if using). Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. 6.
   Remove the bay leaves from the stew. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
7. 7.
   Serve the Finnish Sailor's Stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef chuck — To ensure tender meat, choose well-marbled beef chuck and cut it into evenly sized cubes. Browning the beef before simmering adds depth of flavor to the stew.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can marinate the beef in red wine and spices for a few hours before cooking.
• Serve the stew with crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.
• Feel free to add other root vegetables like celery root or rutabaga for additional flavor and texture.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated the next day, allowing the flavors to meld even further.
• This stew tastes even better the next day, so consider making it in advance for a stress-free meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Finnish Sailor's Stew in deep bowls, allowing the aromatic steam to rise. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish the stew with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color. Serve it in rustic bowls or traditional Finnish wooden bowls for an authentic touch.