Moldovan Beef Stew with Vegetables

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef stew meat, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) beef stew meat, cubed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 4 cups (950ml) beef broth 4 cups (950ml) beef broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the beef stew meat and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside.
3. 3.
   In the same pot, add the chopped onion and sliced carrots. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
4. 4.
   Add the minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, and cubed potatoes. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
5. 5.
   Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, and bay leaves. Cook for another minute to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. 6.
   Return the browned beef to the pot and pour in the beef broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have developed.
8. 8.
   Remove the bay leaves before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef stew meat — For a more tender result, choose cuts of beef that are suitable for slow cooking, such as chuck or brisket.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor, marinate the beef in a mixture of garlic, paprika, and olive oil for a few hours before cooking.
• For a thicker stew, you can mix a tablespoon of flour with a little water and add it to the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Serving advice

Serve the Moldovan Beef Stew with Vegetables hot, accompanied by crusty bread or over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes.

Presentation advice

Garnish the stew with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color and freshness.