Comfort Food For Winter

It's been chilly lately & I've been buried with work - one part, travel; one part, grad school proposal writing for my thesis. As a result, we've been enjoying fairly healthy, crock-pot friendly meals from Pinterest!

Here's a recent favorite even Joe is asking for again and again - I can't help but share!

 Red Wine Stew & Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Recipe found via Katie at the Kitchen Door from Home Made Winter.

Serves 8.

Photo via Home Made Winter

3 lb stew beef [I bought the pre-cut cubes; aprox. 2.5lbs & be sure to pre-season!]

1 bottle red wine

salt

 freshly ground black pepper

3 sprigs fresh thyme

2 bay leaves

3 carrots, peeled & cut into 1/2 inch slices

1 orange, washed well and cut into 8 wedges [I substituted by using clementines that are easy to piece apart]

1 large onion, peeled & cut into rings

2 cloves garlic, peeled & sliced [I minced them to be smaller]

olive oil

1 6-oz can tomato paste

3 1/2 oz. pitted black olives [I did not try the olives]

I mostly followed the recipe as posted, but made a few slight modifications. Be sure to season the beef - helps to layer the flavors. I also used a crock-pot instead of a stockpot - easier for me to prep and leave it alone!

1. Season beef.

2. Combine all ingredients except olive oil, tomato paste & olives. Let it marinate overnight in the fridge.

3. Remove beef and brown the meat with olive oil on the stove. Add beef, marinade & tomato paste to crock-pot on high for about 4 hours. I used high to cook everything down - even added aprox. 1/2 cup beef broth. 

4. Add olives if using aprox. 15 minutes before ready to serve and prep mashed potatoes!

5. Enjoy!!