Smoky Beef Stew

To say beef is a versatile food is an understatement. There are at least 46 countries that enjoy eating beef with Canada being one of them. It can be prepared in many ways including grilled, fried, baked, roasted, slow-cooked and there are a lot of different cuts to choose from.

Beef is so versatile it can be the star of fancy dinners, quick lunches, simple stews, and more. No matter how beef is eaten, it can easily showcase worldwide flavors and culinary creativity.

When making roast beef cubes, tougher cuts that include chuck, brisket and round, where the high amount of collagen breaks down during a lengthy cooking process and transforms into gelatin, result in supple, succulent meat, lending a velvety richness to the braising liquid. I recommend chuck because it has a big, beefy flavor and good fat content, but brisket and round are also suitable.

In this recipe the beef is cubed instead of cooked whole, so each beef cube is coated in seasoning for an incredible flavor. The vegetables are cooked in beef broth then added to the smoky beef gravy along with the roasted beef cubes to make an amazing ‘beef stew’… true comfort food!

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Smoky Beef Stew
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
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Rate this recipe!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword smoky beef stew
Servings
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword smoky beef stew
Servings
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
You:
Rate this recipe!
Instructions
Meat
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Cut beef into bite sized pieces. Place in a plastic bag & add oil & Montreal Steak Spice. Shake to coat cubes evenly. Thread cubes onto skewers & place over a foil lined roasting pan.
  3. Roast meat for about 55 minutes or until cooked. Remove from oven & take meat off skewers. Set aside.
Veggies/Gravy
  1. In a saucepan, cook carrots & potatoes in some of the beef broth until Just tender. Pour into a bowl & set aside.
  2. In the saucepan, add 1 Tbsp oil & sauté leeks, garlic & mushrooms until tender. Place in bowl with carrots & potatoes.
  3. In the saucepan, melt butter & add flour stirring constantly to make a roux. Add remaining broth, whisking to make a smooth gravy (add broth from veggies if necessary). Add 2 tsp liquid smoke, whisk to combine.
  4. Once the gravy is cooked & smooth, add beef cubes & all the broth/veggies. Gently fold to combine.
  5. Nice to serve with focaccia bread.
Recipe Notes
  • The liquid smoke gives this stew such an unbelievable flavor!

Corned Beef & Cabbage Pot Pie

It probably seems odd that I would post this meal today instead of around St. Patrick’s Day. The truth of the matter is, corned beef is really not an Irish classic as most would think. So for us, it’s just a case of enjoying corned beef in a pot pie.

You cook this dish the same way you would cook chicken pot pie. Instead of roasting the corned beef myself, I picked some up at the deli counter. I had them slice it about 1/4″ thick then I cut it into small cubes. Logic would tell you that a ‘beef’ pie needs beef gravy, but corned beef is different. I used chicken broth in the white sauce, which is delicate enough to allow the flavor of the corned beef to come through nicely.

There is often debate whether pot pies should have one or two crusts. For me, its just whatever appeals to me when I’m making some. Today, since I’m using frozen puff pastry, I went with just a top crust. Draped over them, gave such a rustic look … just for the sake of eye appeal.

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Corned Beef & Cabbage Pot Pie
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
You:
Rate this recipe!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
You:
Rate this recipe!
Instructions
  1. In a large Dutch oven or pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add potatoes, carrot & cabbage & cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes. Add flour & cook, stirring, for about 1 minute more. Add chicken broth, milk, mustard, thyme, salt & pepper. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Simmer 15-20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Stir in corned beef & cheese, cook, stirring until cheese has melted. Taste to adjust seasoning as necessary. Remove from heat & allow to cool 15-20 minutes.
  2. Cut thawed puff pastry sheets to suit your preference. I used 4 - 14 oz. (414 ml) ramekins with a top crust only.
  3. Preheat oven to 425 F. Place ramekins on a baking sheet & spoon cooled filling in to them. Place pastry squares over top. Cut several slits in the middle to allow steam to vent. Combine egg with water & brush top of puff pastry with it.
  4. Bake for about 20 minutes or until puff pastry is golden & filling is bubbling. Allow to stand 5 minutes before serving.