Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew

Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew Recipe from Poland - Beef, Potatoes, Carrots, and More

Region / culture: Poland | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 2 hours | Servings: 6

Introduction

Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. This stew is packed with tender beef, potatoes, carrots, and a rich beer-based broth that will warm you up from the inside out.

History

This recipe has been passed down through generations in Maron's family. It originated in Ireland, where hearty stews are a staple in the cuisine. Maron's grandmother used to make this stew for the family on cold winter nights, and it quickly became a favorite among friends and neighbors.

Ingredients

2 lb (907 g) stewing beef or beef chuck
8 large potatoes
16 oz (454 g) fresh baby carrots
1 large yellow onion
4 – 6 cloves garlic
3 bay leaves
2 tbsp vegetable oil
3 tbsp olive oil
4 oz (113 g) white flour
1 can tomato paste
1 tsp salt
0.5 tsp pepper (fresh ground)
2 bottles good dark beer
8 oz (227 g) ketchup
6 cups water

How to prepare

Add salt and pepper to the flour.
Cube the meat into 1 or 2-inch pieces.
Coat the beef with the flour and spices.
Combine and heat the oils.
Brown the beef over high flame for 5 minutes.
Add beer, tomato paste, ketchup, and water.
Bring to a boil and reduce to medium heat.
Simmer covered for 60 minutes.
Stir every 20 minutes.
Saute the garlic and onion together.
Add bay leaves, garlic, onion, carrots, potatoes, additional salt, and pepper to taste.
Cook for 1 hour.
Enjoy immediately or allow to rest overnight for the richest taste.

Variations

For a lighter version, you can use leaner cuts of beef or substitute with chicken or turkey.
Add in your favorite vegetables such as peas, corn, or green beans for added nutrition and flavor.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to brown the beef before adding it to the stew. This will help seal in the juices and create a more flavorful dish.

- For a thicker stew, you can add a slurry of flour and water towards the end of cooking.

- Don't skip the step of sautéing the garlic and onion before adding them to the stew. This will help to develop their flavors and add depth to the dish.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew with a side of crusty bread or over a bed of mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

The key cooking techniques for this recipe include browning the beef, simmering the stew over low heat, and sautéing the garlic and onion to build flavor.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have fresh baby carrots, you can use regular carrots cut into bite-sized pieces. You can also substitute the dark beer with beef broth for a non-alcoholic version.

Make Ahead Tips

Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits, making it even more delicious.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew in a rustic bowl with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top for a pop of color. You can also serve it in a bread bowl for a fun twist.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew with a glass of red wine or a cold beer for the perfect complement to the rich flavors of the stew.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers of Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pot over low heat until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew contains approximately 400 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew contains approximately 45 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew contains approximately 20 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew contains approximately 35 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and potassium.

Alergens

This recipe contains gluten from the flour used to coat the beef.

Summary

Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew is a well-balanced meal that provides a good source of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew is a comforting and satisfying dish that is perfect for a chilly evening. Packed with tender beef, potatoes, and carrots in a rich beer-based broth, this stew is sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy it with a side of crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

How did I get this recipe?

I recall the moment I first laid eyes on this recipe like it was yesterday. It was a crisp autumn day, the leaves were falling from the trees in a beautiful array of colors, and I was visiting my dear friend Maron in her cozy little kitchen. Maron was a culinary genius, always coming up with new and exciting recipes that never failed to impress. On that particular day, she was making her famous Marvelous Meat Stew, a hearty and comforting dish that was perfect for the chilly weather.

As I watched Maron work her magic in the kitchen, I couldn't help but be in awe of her skills. She moved with such grace and precision, effortlessly chopping vegetables, browning meat, and adding just the right amount of seasoning. I knew I had to learn how to make this stew for myself, so I begged Maron to share her recipe with me.

Maron smiled warmly and handed me a worn, stained piece of paper. "This is my secret recipe for Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew," she said. "I've been perfecting it for years, and I'm happy to pass it on to you, my dear friend."

I clutched the paper in my hands, feeling as though I had been given a precious gift. Maron's handwriting was elegant and precise, with detailed instructions on how to make the stew from start to finish. I thanked her profusely and promised to do her proud.

That evening, I set to work in my own kitchen, following Maron's recipe to the letter. I chopped onions, carrots, and celery, browned the meat in a hot pan, and simmered it all together in a rich, savory broth. The aroma that filled my kitchen was intoxicating, and I knew I was onto something special.

When the stew was finally ready, I ladled myself a bowl and took a tentative first bite. The flavors exploded on my tongue, each ingredient perfectly balanced and harmonious with the others. I couldn't believe that I had created something so delicious, and I knew that this recipe would become a staple in my household for years to come.

Over the years, I made Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew countless times, each batch just as delicious as the last. I shared the recipe with friends and family, who all raved about its hearty, comforting flavors. It became a staple at family gatherings and dinner parties, a dish that always brought smiles to the faces of those who tasted it.

As the years went by, I continued to experiment with Maron's recipe, adding my own twist here and there to make it truly my own. I tried different cuts of meat, swapped out vegetables, and played with the seasonings to create new and exciting variations of the stew. But no matter how much I tinkered with it, Maron's original recipe remained my favorite, a classic that never failed to satisfy.

Sadly, Maron passed away many years ago, but her legacy lives on in the form of her Marvelous Meat Stew. Every time I make it, I think of her and the wonderful memories we shared in her kitchen. I am forever grateful to her for sharing her recipe with me, and I will always cherish the bond we had over our love of cooking.

So if you ever find yourself in need of a hearty and comforting meal, look no further than Maron's Marvelous Meat Stew. It is a dish that is sure to warm your heart and soul, just as it has done for me and countless others over the years. And who knows, perhaps one day you'll pass the recipe on to a dear friend, just as I did with you.