Mushroom Beef Stew

When cold winds blow this winter, a piping hot bowl of this stew created by Nancy Latulippe, Simcoe, Ontario for Taste of Home Magazine will definitely hit the spot. It also freezes well, so you can have some on hand in the freezer for a last minute dinner.

Mushroom Beef Stew

Ingredients

1 carton (32 ounces) beef broth
1 ounce dried mixed mushrooms
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 boneless beef chuck roast (2 pounds), cubed
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 pound whole baby portobello mushrooms
5 medium carrots, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Hot cooked egg noodles, optional
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring broth and mushrooms to a boil. Remove from the heat; let stand 15-20 minutes or until mushrooms are softened. Using a slotted spoon, remove mushrooms; finely chop. Strain remaining broth through a fine mesh strainer. Set aside mushrooms and broth.
In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, salt and pepper; set aside 1 tablespoon for sauce. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, to the remaining flour mixture and shake to coat.
In a Dutch oven, brown beef in oil in batches. Add the portobello mushrooms, carrots and onion; saute until onion is tender. Add the garlic, rosemary and rehydrated mushrooms; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in reserved flour mixture until blended; gradually add mushroom broth.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until beef is tender. Cool stew; transfer to freezer containers. Freeze for up to 6 months.
To use frozen stew: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Place in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into the pan. Return to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with egg noodles if desired; top with blue cheese. Yield: 9 servings.



Recipe and picture are the property of Taste of Home and can be viewed on their website at: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Mushroom-Beef-Stew