Beef Stew with Fluffy Pita

  4.6 – 10 reviews  • Beef
Level: Easy
Total: 3 hr 10 min
Active: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

  1. 1 (2 1/2 pound/1130 grams) boneless beef chuck, excess fat trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
  2. Kosher salt
  3. Freshly ground black pepper
  4. 2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  5. 1/4 cup (60 grams) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  6. 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  7. 4 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
  8. 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  9. 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 4 sprigs)
  10. 2 cups dry red wine
  11. 3 cups low-sodium beef stock
  12. 2 dried bay leaves
  13. 1 cup (120 grams) frozen pearl onions, thawed
  14. 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
  15. Fluffy pita, for serving, recipe follows
  16. 1 1/2 cups warm water
  17. 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
  18. 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
  19. 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  20. 3 tablespoons olive oil
  21. 3 3/4 cups (450 grams) bread flour, plus more for dusting

Instructions

  1. Add the beef to a large mixing bowl. Season all over with 1 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Toss the beef in with 2 tablespoons of the flour to coat.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. When the oil is hot, brown the beef on all sides, in batches, 4 to 6 minutes per batch. Remove the browned beef to a bowl and set aside.
  3. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the pot. Add the onions and carrots. Stir to coat the vegetables in the oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to wilt, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste and thyme and stir to coat the vegetables. Add the remaining flour and stir to combine. Let the flour toast for a minute, then pour in the wine. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until slightly thickened and reduced, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the beef stock and bay leaves and adjust the heat so the sauce is at a moderate simmer. Return the beef and juices to the pot. Cover and reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fork tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours, removing the lid in the last 15 minutes to reduce the sauce.
  4. When the beef is almost done, heat a medium skillet over medium heat and add the remaining tablespoon of the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the pearl onions, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until browned all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Add to the stew in the last 15 minutes of cooking,
  5. Remove and discard the bay leaves (and thyme stems if using sprigs). Serve and garnish with parsley leaves and pita on the side.
  6. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix together the water, yeast and sugar just to dissolve. Add the salt and oil, and then gradually add the flour. Increase the speed to medium-high and mix for 7 to 10 minutes, adding just enough additional flour so that the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Do not add too much flour. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky. Lightly coat a clean large bowl with oil or cooking spray and then place the dough in the bowl and turn it once or twice to coat it in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
  7. Turn the dough onto a clean work surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Mold each piece into a ball by stretching the top and tucking the edges under. place the balls 1-inch apart on a piece of parchment paper, cover them with plastic wrap, and let them rise for 30 minutes.
  8. Set an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment.
  9. With a rolling pin, roll out the balls of dough into 6-inch circles. Place them on the baking sheets and bake for about 5 minutes, or until they’re puffy and just starting to brown.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 8 servings
Calories 627
Total Fat 21 g
Saturated Fat 5 g
Carbohydrates 59 g
Dietary Fiber 4 g
Sugar 7 g
Protein 41 g
Cholesterol 89 mg
Sodium 1121 mg

Reviews

Jessica Cole
Delicious!! Like a warm hug on a cold day.
Russell Ibarra
Delicious! I watched Molly make this on tv. She is adorable! Made this tonight for dinner and we all loved it! It would be delicious with any bread. Whoever gave it a 1 star must not have followed directions correctly?!
Best of the 4 beef stew recipes I have made from this app!
Taylor Hobbs
Made this the other night and subbed the chuck for short rib to make it extra special. Honestly, one of the absolute best stews I’ve ever made. All of the pan fond from the flour and the beef really takes it to the next level. Was skeptical of the wine amount at first, but it cooks down so nicely when you give it the time. I let it set in the fridge overnight to eat on Sunday and the beef had relaxed into the tenderest bites. Ate with sopping bites of sourdough instead of pita. Incredible. 

 

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