Beef and Vegetable Stew

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. beef for stewing, choose nice lean meat
• sea salt and pepper
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 large onion
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cups beef stock, cubes or tetra packs or canned
• 2 tablespoons tomato puree
• 4 potatoes
• 4 carrots
• 12 mushrooms
• 3 celery sticks
• 2 parsnips *optional
• Bay leaf

Directions

1. Wipe and trim the meat and cut into 1 ½ in cubes.
2. Season the flour and toss the pieces of meat in it till evenly coated.
3. Peel and slice the onion.
4. Heat the oil in a heavy based saucepan and fry the onions until transparent.
5. Add the meat and fry until browned all over.
6. Add any remaining flour.
7. Gradually add the stock
8. Bring to a boil stirring constantly.
9. Add the tomato puree, bay leaf and seasoning.
10. Cover and simmer for one hour.
11. Peel the carrots and peel the potatoes and parsnips.
12. Cut all the veggies into large chunks and add to the meat.
13. Cover and simmer for a further 30 minutes.
14. Taste and adjust seasoning.