Traditional Romanian Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) beef, cubed 1 kg (2.2 lbs) beef, cubed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped 2 onions, finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups (950 ml) beef broth 4 cups (950 ml) beef broth
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 400 kcal / 1674 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 6g
• Protein: 45g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the onions and garlic to the pot and sauté until they become translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the beef cubes to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
4. 4.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes, carrots, and potatoes.
5. 5.
   Add the bay leaves, paprika, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the ingredients with the spices.
6. 6.
   Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
7. 7.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 2 hours or until the beef is tender.
8. 8.
   Remove the bay leaves before serving.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef — Choose a tender cut of beef, such as chuck or stewing beef, for the best results. Trim any excess fat before cubing the meat to ensure a leaner stew.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra depth of flavor, marinate the beef cubes in a mixture of red wine, garlic, and herbs for a few hours before cooking.
• If you prefer 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 traditional Romanian beef stew hot, accompanied by crusty bread or polenta for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish the stew with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color and freshness to the dish. Serve it in a rustic bowl or on a deep plate to showcase the hearty nature of the stew.